The Trail Blazers’ first six points against the Miami Heat Wednesday night were in the paint. They rammed the ball inside to LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden. The Heat, trying hard to stay home on Portland’s outside shooters, had no answer at all against the Portland post players. None.

And the rout was on.

It was a big step for Portland. The Blazers ended with 30 points in the paint — not an overwhelming number but good. It’s something that must continue, too, because it helps open up the outside shooters, who got very good looks most of the game.

Nic Batum was terrific. The kid locked down on Dwayne Wade, made his open shots, rebounded and moved the ball at all the right times. I’m telling you, for a 19-year-old, he’s a very special player. I’m not sure how much he’s going to play when Martell Webster returns, but the pressure will be on for Webster to play the kind of defense and fit in the way Batum has.

Joel Przybilla and Oden were solid. Aldridge had a very good night. This was the first game all season when I thought the Blazers brought their “A game” on both offense and defense and it started with their big players at both ends of the floor.

Sergio Rodriguez was terrific in seeing the floor. He gets the ball to people where they can score — a skill that’s not particularly common.

Brandon Roy had an off-night, I think because he wasn’t needed. It seems as if he needs the tension of a tight game to bring out the best in him. Nothing at all wrong with that.

Friday night in the Rose Garden will be a big test. New Orleans is a very good team and the Blazers need a win over a Western Conference power, which they really haven’t had yet.

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Tags: Brandon Roy, Dwayne Wade, Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla, LaMarcus Aldridge, Miami Heat, Nic Batum, Portland Trail Blazers, Sergio Rodriguez

It’s pretty amazing when you ask around the league about him — you don’t hear anything but positives about the job he’s doing in Miami. He’s a very bright guy with a good personality who can lead. And even though he’s not a former NBA player, he has the respect of the people wearing Heat uniforms.

Everyone in Portland should be proud of him. Those jobs are so incredibly difficult to get in the first place. To be a somewhat obscure college player — although an effective one at the University of Portland — and go on to get the Pat Riley seal of approval and the big job, well that’s pretty amazing stuff.

And the Blazers better be ready tonight. Miami is prepared for every game and I know Erik would love to get this one, his first trip into his hometown as a head coach of an NBA team. It should be a fun night.

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Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers

A nice win Wednesday over an almost tiny, but well-coached Miami team. Man, it’s just about impossible to play basketball without a center.

Fernandez was sensational in the fourth, obviously. When this team gets more accustomed to playing together, I think it is going to be tough to handle. Tonight the Blazers probably went to the Brandon Roy spread offense a little too early and the result was stagnation.

When Rudy is sticking it from the outside and there is that size advantage inside, I’d just keep running the regular offense.

Speaking of pounding away inside, someone needs to remind Joel Przybilla about the roll part of the pick and roll. There are some dunks there for him. Of course, you can’t blame him — it’s not as if they look for him on that play much. But it’s there.

Great to see Oden on the floor. Be patient, I’m more convinced than ever that he’s someday going to be a difference maker. It’s all about mobility for him and that’s eventually going to return. He just needs to get more comfortable on the floor and reclaim a little reckless abandon.

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Tags: Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez

Three-point specialist James Jones leaves the Blazers, joins the Miami Heat and promptly injures a tendon  in his right wrist during practice and is out three months. The guy has had more than his share of injuries.

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Tags: Dwight Jaynes, James Jones, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, wrist