The last time the Portland Trailblazers were seen around these parts, they were living up to the description displayed on a sign at the Delta Center Sunday afternoon, which read "Nothing But Cry Blazers."
Now they're back in town, holding a 3-2 lead over the Jazz in the best-of-seven Western Conference Final series and planning to be on their best behavior for tonight's game (7 p.m.).Portland Coach Rick Adelman said he had a good talk with his team after Game 4 when they were whistled for five technicals.
"We talked about it, but I really didn't have to tell them anything," said Adelman. "The thing we said is, if you do get one (technical), you've got to get your energy back into the game and forget about it."
The Blazers seemed to do that Tuesday night when they avoided the technicals and took a 127-121 overtime victory.
Adelman acknowledges his team likes to complain and says he isn't immune either.
"I'd be the first to admit I complain and I get upset," he said. "And we just happen to have guys who are very, very emotional players."
The Portland coach said his team's lack of poise wasn't the reason for the Game 4 loss, which made tonight's game possible. "I strongly disagree that's the only reason we lost the game - it was a factor, but not the only factor."
Blazer players felt they regained their poise Tuesday and plan on keeping it the rest of the series.
"We came in here and stayed close in Games 3 and 4," said Terry Porter, who has been the star of the series so far for Portland. "If we show the type of poise and patience we showed in Game 5 down the stretch, we have a good chance of winning."
Clyde Drexler, who received two technicals and was ejected from Game 4, preferred not to talk about that game, saying "I refuse to talk about the officiating."
Drexler said the keys for Portland tonight are to "play better defense" and "execute better on offense."
"We expected a tough series coming in," said Drexler. "We're getting everything we bargained for."
Said Adelman, "I expect tremendous intensity - their crowd will be so loud. We still have to find a way to win one more game, somehow, some way."