Freeland Scores Season High in Penultimate Game of Season

By Sam Neter on April 17, 2013

Joel Freeland saw a season high in minutes last night, and produced, finishing with a season high 13 points in a 93-77 loss to the LA Clippers.

Minutes have been hard to come by for the GB star in his rookie season with Portland, but with injuries to Portland forwards LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum, as well as guard Wesley Matthews (three of Portland’s top four scorers), Freeland had a chance to step up.

Playing just under 29 minutes, the 6’10” forward went 5/10 from the floor and 3/4 at the line to finish with 13 points, adding 6 rebounds, and 2 steals.

It made little difference however, as the Clippers were in full lob city mode, connecting on 30 assists for their 37 field goals and dunking at every opportunity. The Clippers never trailed, reached double-digit separation with a 15-0 run in the second quarter allowing Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro a chance to pull his starters with a 25-point lead and 13 minutes still remaining.

It has been a tough first year in the league for Freeland, with a stint in the D-League (which, he killed), and averages of 2.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in less than 9 minutes per game, however, he is said to have transformed his body, and hopefully will be finishing the season on a positive note as the Blazers take on Golden State in their season finale on Wednesday night.

The Blazers (33-48) have now lost 12 games in a row, their longest single-season losing streak since 1986.

Image Credit: NBAE via Getty Images

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