Post by DiamondThief on Nov 16, 2014 21:29:56 GMT -8
New Orleans Pelicans
at
Portland Trail Blazers
What: The Pelicans make the first of two their appearances in Portland this season.
When: Monday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Media: TV - FSNOLA (New Orleans), CSNNW (Portland); Rip City Radio 620AM.
Note: This game matches up the best power forward in the NBA in LaMarcus Aldridge and the up and comer in Anthony Davis.
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The Pelicans (5-3, 1-2 on the road) are coming off a 139-91 drubbing of the Timberwolves. on Nov. 14. They are lead by Anthony Davis (24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.1 blocks) and Tyreke Evans (7.1 assists). The Blazers (7-3, 6-1 at home) are coming off a 97-87 home win over the Nets on Nov. 15 in which they played without LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum. They are led by Aldridge (21.9 points and 7.9 rebounds), Damian Lillard (6.6 assists) and Robin Lopez (1.5 blocks).
Pelicans' Anthony Davis; Blazers' Damian Lillard
New Orleans Pelicans
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 1 Tyreke Evans
PF - 23 Anthony Davis
C - 3 Omer Asik
SG - 10 Eric Gordon
PG - 11 Jrue Holiday
RESERVES
G - 32 Jimmer Fredette; 25 Austin Rivers; 9 Russ Smith
F - 33 Ryan Anderson; 8 Luke Babbitt; 2 Darius Miller; 15 John Salmons; 4 Patric Young
C - 42 Alexis Ajinca; 5 Jeff Withey
INJURIES
C - Omer Asik (back) - questionable
HEAD COACH
Monty Williams
Portland Trail Blazers
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 42 Robin Lopez
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; 23 Allen Crabbe; 3 CJ McCollum
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 19 Joel Freeland; 35 Chris Kaman; 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURIES
F - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge (upper respiratory infection) - doubtful
F - 88 Nicolas Batum (right knee) - questionable
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
Angi's Take
The Pelicans have a good, young talent in Davis, who leads the team in four of the five major statistical categories. He is having his best season as a pro as Asik counters him as the starter in the same manner that Aldridge benefited last year from the addition of Lopez. Gordon and Holiday are a solid backcourt combination. The bench is young, but there is potential there. Withey is a good defender and shot blocker, and former Blazer Babbitt went 4-4 from behind the arc in the Pelicans' win over The T-Wolves on Friday night. The Blazers are on a four-game winning streak and will welcome back Aldridge and Batum who have missed the last one and three games, respectively. Lopez plays a similar style to Asik. While Gordon and Holiday are solid, Matthews and Lillard are better. Kaman has been outstanding off the bench and the rest of the reserves have played very well for the most part. The Blazers can win this if their bench outplays their Pelicans counterparts. Matchup to watch: Anthony Davis vs. LaMarcus Aldridge.
OFFICIALS
Tony Brothers, Pat Fraher, Derek Richardson
QUOTABLE
Pelicans' Ryan Anderson on players coming together: "We're jelling right now about I think you can tell, obviously. We're learning, but tonight was the kid of a game that really solidified the fact that we understand how to play with each other. When we move the ball, it looks really good and it's just great basketball."
Damian Lillard on players being able to step up: "Guys are ready for the challenge. We knew it wouldn't be one or two guys having to do a whole bunch more, but we would need everyone to step up and fill those gaps."
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