Another tough night for the young Blazers, but this one was really heartbreaking. They played great ball against one of the league's elite teams, the San Antonio Spurs, for about 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the game is three minutes longer than that, and the Spurs overcame a nine-point deficit in short order to win the game at the Rose Garden.

The kids on the Portland team looked devastated as the final seconds of the game ticked away. They had thought they had the game won. The home crowd had most definitely thought the same. It was kind of like the Blazer game I saw against Phoenix: great play, and the higher-powered visiting team just barely prevailed, but prevail they did.

I worry about the youthful Blazers' heads. Like others, I suspect they tend to put extra pressure on themselves in home games, and a loss in Portland hurts more on account of it. To make matters worse, a scheduling quirk gives the Blazers four days to brood about this particular defeat; their next game isn't until Sunday.

Of greatest concern, of course, is forward Zach Randolph, the Blazers' best, but most unstable, player. He's got to be feeling pretty low right now. Came to camp in tremendous shape, and focused. Has worked his rear off on the court every single game. Yet didn't make the All-Star team. Isn't going to make the playoffs. Seriously losing record. Lots of losses in close games that could have been won with just a break or two.

The weather's getting warmer. The end of the season is near. This is the kind of night on which Zach gets himself in trouble. I hope he drives the Escalade home, unloads the guns, has some booze (or other intoxicant of choice) with a couple of buddies, enjoys a few laughs, and calls it a night. But you worry.

What wound up killing the Blazers tonight were the Spurs' Euro three-point shooters, who rained down shots as the contest came to a close. I'm starting to get a bias against these guys. I watched the Utah Jazz on the tube a week or two ago, and I found myself feeling the way I did when I used to watch the Soviet East German teams. Boo!

Anyway, sympathies for the Blazers. And watch out for that Escalade; let's hope nobody sees it out there tonight.