Recap: Blazers continue to impress, Nets don’t

Nov 18, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Mo Williams (25) shoots over Brooklyn Nets power forward Mason Plumlee (1) power forward Kevin Garnett (2) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers (9-2) are arguably the quietest, best team in the NBA right now. I’m not sure that makes sense, though.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 27 points, Wesley Matthews added 24 as the Blazers beat the Brooklyn Nets 108-98 on Monday night for their seventh straight win. Lillard added 19 points and nine assists. This is Portland’s longest winning-streak since December of 2007, when they put together a 13-game run.

Portland (9-2) is now just a half-game behind San Antonio and Indiana for the NBA’s best record.

In the losing effort, Shaun Livingston scored 23 points for the Nets. Kevin Garnett opened up 6 for 6 in the first period, but then went 2 for 13 the rest of the way, on his way to a season-high 16 points.

The Nets led 40-31 after the first quarter, 63-56 at halftime but just fell apart after that.

In fact, here was their third quarter blunder of a box score:

Garnett and Paul Pierce were back in the starting lineup after missing Saturday’s game against the Clippers, though Brook Lopez and Deron Williams continued to rest sprained left ankles and did not play.

Pierce scored 11 points on an abysmal 2-for-12 shooting.

Interesting stat of the night: Brooklyn (3-7) has won the third quarter in all three victories and been outscored in the period in every loss.