Post by DiamondThief on Jan 11, 2015 4:40:41 GMT -8
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Lakers
What: Portland heads to the City of Angels to take on the Lakers.
When: Sunday, Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m. (pacific).
Blazers Media: TV - CSNNW; Radio - Rip City Radio 620 AM.
Lakers Media: TV - TWC SN - 710 AM ESPN.
Note: This is the first time Chris Kaman and Steve Blake will have played against the Lakers since they played for the Lakers last season.
Previous: Jan. 5 - Blazers 98, Lakers 94.
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The Blazers (29-8, 11-5 on the road) are coming off a 103-92 home win over the Magic on Jan. 10. They are led by LaMarcus Aldridge, Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews. The Blazers are averaging 103.8 points (6th in the NBA) and giving up 96.6 points (1st). The Lakers (12-25, 6-12 at home) are coming off a 101-84 win over the Magic on Jan. 10. They are lead by Kobe Bryant, Jordan Hill and Nick Young. The Lakers are averaging 101.6 points (13th) and giving up 107.6 points (27th).
Blazers' Damian Lillard; Lakers' Jeremy Lin
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 88 Nicolas Batum
PF - 12 LaMarcus Aldridge
C - 35 Chris Kaman
SG - 2 Wesley Matthews
PG - 0 Damian Lillard
RESERVES
G - 5 Will Barton; 25 Steve Blake; CJ McCollum
F - 18 Victor Claver; 41 Thomas Robinson; 1 Dorell Wright
C - 11 Meyers Leonard
INJURIES
G - 23 Allen Crabbe (knee) - out
C - 19 Joel Freeland (shoulder) - out
C - 42 Robin Lopez (hand) - out
HEAD COACH
Terry Stotts
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Pts - LaMarcus Aldridge 23.1
Reb - LaMarcus Aldridge 10.5
Ast - Damian Lillard 6.3
Blk - Robin Lopez 1.5
Stl - Damian Lillard 1.5
FG - Chris Kaman 48.8%
FT - Damian Lillard 87.2%
3pt - Wesley Matthews 39.9%
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
PROJECTED STARTERS
SF - 11 Wesley Johnson
PF - 21 Ed Davis
C - 27 Jordan Hill
SG - 2 Wayne Elllington
PG - 9 Ronnie Price
RESERVES
G - 6 Jordan Clarkson; 17 Jeremy Lin
F - 5 Carlos Boozer; 4 Ryan Kelly; 0 Nick Young
C - 28 Tarik Black; 50 Robert Sacre
INJURY REPORT
G - 24 Kobe Bryant (rest) - out
G - 10 Steve Nash (ankle) - out
F - 11 Wesley Johnson (Hip) - questionable
F - 30 Julius Randle (leg) - out
HEAD COACH
Byron Scott
STATISTICAL LEADERS (per game)
Points - Kobe Bryant 23.0
Rebounds - Jordan Hill 8.0
Assists - Kobe Bryant 5.3
Blocks - Ed Davis 1.2
Steals - Ronnie Price 1.2
FG - Carlos Boozer 52.5%
FT - Nick Young 91.5%
3pt - Kevin Martin 40.3%
Angi's Take
The Blazers come into the game with the second-best record in the NBA. Aldridge is continuing to show that he is the best power forward in the league. The L-Train should no problem in matching up against Davis. Matthews may not have an offensive explosion, but he is one of the few guards in the league who can give Bryant some problems while guarding him. Lillard could have trouble guarding Lin, but he should have success on the offensive end. The Blazers are sorely missing Lopez and Freeland, but they should have some success since the Lakers' front line is not really anything to write home about. The Lakers are in a major state of flux. Bryant is in the twilight of his career and while he can still light it up, his shooting is suffering and he has become inconsistent. Young may think he's the heir apparent,, but lacks consistency as well. With Nash out for the season, Lin is probably the team's best point guard, though he probably best as a consistent backup. The best way for the Blazers to win this game would be to pound the ball inside and early to Aldridge and Kaman, then open things up on the perimeter. The Blazers should be able to control the boards against the out-matched Lakers. Matchup to watch: Wesley Matthews vs. Kobe Bryant.
OFFICIALS
Derrick Stafford, Tony Brown, Eli Roe.
QUOTABLE
Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge on the Jan. 4 meeting between the teams: "I thought we gave them a lot of easy things last game, and we didn't really take anything away. I think everybody learned from that game. I think this game will be better for us."
Lakers coach Byron Scott on Jeremy Lin's performance the past couple of games: "I think he's getting more comfortable, and I think his confidence is coming back."
FEATURED TWEETS
EXTRA
If the Blazers win this game, it will be the third time in the past month that they will have sported at least a four-game winning streak.
MATCH UP MEME
Does this not describe the NBA's biggest complainer?
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