Diebler scores 7 points in best Summer League game so far

Jon Diebler

LAS VEGAS — Upper Sandusky High School graduate Jon Diebler had his best game of the NBA Summer League, scoring seven points in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 84-78 victory against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday at Cox Pavilion.
Diebler went 3 of 7 from the field, including 1 of 4 from 3-point range in about 28 minutes. He earned his first start after Nolan Smith sat out because of a concussion he suffered at the end of Tuesday’s game.
The Ohio State University graduate had three rebounds, including one on the offensive end, one assist, one turnover and committed three fouls.
Again, it was rookie point guard Damian Lillard who paced Portland with 31 points on an 11-of-22 shooting performance. He added seven assists. He has scored 25 or more points in all three games so far.
Fellow rookie Will Barton also had his best game of the Summer League, going 6 of 14 with 14 points and five rebounds, while Luke Babbitt reached double-figures with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Mike Scott led a balanced Atlanta effort with 14 points. John Jenkins and Elijah Millsap added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
In other team news, Portland decided Tuesday to match the Minnesota Timberwolves’ offer sheet for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, meaning he likely will be the Blazers’ starting small forward this season.
General manager Neil Olshey also said Portland planned to sign point guard Ronnie Price, which would give the team 14 signed players, one short of the maximum.
The Boston Herald reported late Thursday night the Trail Blazers might be involved in a three-team deal that allowed the Boston Celtics to acquire Courtney Lee from the Houston Rockets, but it did not give details about Portland’s involvement and other reports do not mention the team.
Portland is back in action in Las Vegas at 6 p.m. today against the Denver Nuggets. The game will be shown on NBA TV at 1 a.m. The Blazers’ final Summer League game is 4 p.m. Saturday against the Miami Heat and will be broadcast live on the network.

Posted by Daily Chief on July 20, 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry