--The Blazers needed another clutch performance from Brandon Roy, who scored nine of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, including a left-handed scoop shot that banked in to cap a 9-0 run and giving the Blazers an 85-84 lead with 3:37 remaining.
"Brandon hit some big shots again," center Joel Przybilla said. "That's why he's an All-Star. He's the leader of this team." --Greg Oden made his first home start as a Blazer, but it wasn't a rousing success. The 7-foot rookie had more turnovers (4) than points (3), making 1-of-3 from the field while collecting six rebounds in 19 minutes.
"Greg needs to be more aggressive," coach Nate McMillan said. "Both he and LaMarcus (Aldridge) can dominate that paint. (Monday night), Joel (Przybilla) stepped up once again."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "This game is about bringing it every single night on both ends of the floor. There is no reason why we can't get that. No one should have to worry about saving themselves. We're playing 10 guys. We should be able to get after it. I didn't think we were the aggressors in this game. -- Coach Nate McMillan, after the Blazers' narrow win over Sacramento.
