Postgame Access: Portland 119, Houston 117 (Video)

The Blazers got their first home win since the season opener against the Lakers in a tense overtime affair that followed a few seasons trends while bucking the usual ending. After a lackluster first half, the Blazers came back behind a tremendous third quarter from Nicolas Batum, and rode Damian Lillard into overtime. 16 of Lillard’s 27 points came in the last 4:05 of regulation, but the rookie can hardly take sole credit for the victory. Meyers Leonard played perhaps his strongest game yet in a Blazers uniform, Wes Matthews played James Harden tough once again,  and LaMarcus Aldridge proved reliable down the stretch. And of coursethere was Batum, tying a career high with 35 points and setting another with five blocks.

The mood in the Rose Garden was electric throughout, and you can find my liveblog of the contest here. These are a few videos I captured from Terry Stotts’ postgame conference and the locker room.

Here’s Stotts on Batum’s play and the rest of the team’s efforts in getting the win:

More Stotts, on whether the Blazers can build on this evening’s win:

And from the locker room, here’s rookie Meyers Leonard on playing big minutes through crunch time:

Damian Lillard on attacking in crunch time:

And finally, Nic Batum on his ability to consistently step up his production in second halves this season: