Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs Miami Heat + TICKET Giveaway
January 9, 2011 — PDXPIPELINEWe have a ticket to give away to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers vs Miami Heat tonight through our partners at GoRipCity.com (check out website for last minute tickets). this is their ONLY visit to Portland and they are selling out everywhere they go. This is probably the only place to win one and GoRipCity.com might be the only place left with any discounts.
To win, answer the following question in comments below:
Question: Will the Heat win the East? The NBA Championship. Why/Why not?
Winner will be drawn and emailed at 3PM today, so check your email then if you comment.
Also, email GOripCity@comcast.net to get on their last minute free & super discounted tickets list.
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By Andy Popp
GAME 38: Blazers (20-17) vs Miami Heat (29-9)
January 9, 6PM, Comcast Sports
Related: Trail Blazers Games, Schedule, and WIN Tickets
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The Miami Heatles (Because all their away games sell out, the LeBron and Co are calling themselves the “Heatles.”) are in town tonight.
After an awesomely slow start, the Heat have figured out how to win, and taken 19 of their last 20 contests. Surprisingly, the Heat are winning games this year with defense. What they lack in size, they make up for in length and athleticism.
The Heat on paper:
Starting five: Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Carlos Arroyo, Dwayne Wade
Off the bench: Juwan Howard, Erick Dampier, James Jones, Mario Chalmers, Eddie House, Mike Miller, Joel Anthony
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Go Ducks.
STRATEGY
The Blazers are playing a team that simply has more firepower. The Blazers are going to need production from the bench and the starting front court if they are going to steal a win from the Heat. If LaMarcus Aldridge, Marcus Camby and Rudy Fernandez can all put together decent games, I like the Blazers to win.
LET'S GET RICH
To date: 15-13-2.
I'll take the Heat -5 tonight.
TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez
NUMBER OF BACK TO BACKS THIS SEASON (IN SETS)
10
NEXT 5
vs New York
@ Phoenix
vs New Jersey
vs Minnesota
@ Sacramento
BOTTOM LINE
Aside from a playoff run, this is Portland's marquee game. Expect the Rose Garden to be loud and the Blazer to play with a swagger.
January 9, 2011 at 11:38
Heat will win the east but lose in the finals to the lakers. Phil is a genius. Erik is not.
January 9, 2011 at 11:40
No. I’m not an authority so don’t quote me on this but I’ve heard they have bad chemistry and to tell you the truth, I’m not a fan of Lebron.
January 9, 2011 at 11:42
They’ll win the East but not the championship; too many cooks in the kitchen.
January 9, 2011 at 11:43
miami wont win the championships because there team still needs time to meld. give ‘em a few years and well see.
January 9, 2011 at 11:44
Miami won’t win the East. Boston is more of a complete team . They have better play makers at every position and a stronger bench. Miami has little in the way of role players. Once Kendrick Perkins returns from injury, they will have four capable centers (Jermaine O’Neal, Shaq, Glen Davis, and Perkins) and will be able to pound Miami’s (and Orlando’s) bigs down low and control the paint on the defensive end. Until Miami improves their roster, they will not win the Eastern Conference, much less the NBA championship.
January 9, 2011 at 11:45
Well I’m not sure if they will but I’ll keep an eye on the progress to find out. And I’d love to enjoy a Blazers game tonight! Go Blazers!
January 9, 2011 at 11:50
With the pre Madonna LeBron maby but my Blazers and Blaze the trail cat will give him a reality check so I say no … go blazers and oh go ducks and heat might be good but we are blazing hot
January 9, 2011 at 11:56
Yes, I think they will win the East and the NBA Championship. They have so many weapons and are very quick and good on defense. As much as I love the Blazers and they may turn it on tonight and win…I think the Heat will take it all in the end. I would love to take my daughter to the game tonight!
January 9, 2011 at 11:57
Never been but would love to go to a game! I think they will win the East because they can.
January 9, 2011 at 11:58
Will the Heat win the East?
Yes
The NBA Championship?
No
Why/Why not?
The East will be a tough fight with the Celtics but I think their talent and chemistry can get them that far.
I don’t think they will win the NBA championship because I don’t think they have the resolve to do so and their lack of a big man will be exposed in 7 games when they lose to themuch deeper Lakers who will regain their stride after the all-star break
Go Ducks!
January 9, 2011 at 12:00
The heat wont even win the east this year because the big three haven’t yet been in a pressure packed situation, and when they will be it will be difficult for them to know who the go to guy is
January 9, 2011 at 12:01
Please pick meeee. What an amazing event to attend and cheer for! I have only watched them on TV so seeing this live would be awesome!!! PS and taking my boyfriend would be a super surprise.
January 9, 2011 at 12:03
The heat will figure the team chemistry issue out by the all-star break and win the east. They will lose the championship though.
January 9, 2011 at 12:08
No they will not win the East. Celtics have more chemistry and experience.
January 9, 2011 at 12:11
The Heat won’t win the east. Their coaching needs to be improved. Find someone to stand up to the trecherous trio.
I’m thinking that Boston wins the East, as long as everyone stays healthy…
January 9, 2011 at 12:30
My hope that money can’t always buy happiness, extends towards the arena of sports. I would like to be there, when the terrible threesome gets humbled by the Blazers!
January 9, 2011 at 12:34
NO.
1. Celtics>Heat.
2. Heatles!? Child please….
3. Orlando and NY will get better…
4. Melo going to the Nets
5. Lack of depth… Wade is prone to injuries…
January 9, 2011 at 12:39
Yes, they will win the east because they are younger and many of the Boston players will suffer injuries throughout the season. And yes the could win the Championship because of their 3 franchise players and once they gel they cannot be stopped.
January 9, 2011 at 12:52
The Heat are capable of winning the East, chances are good if you ask me. I don’t think that they can win the Championship though, a team like the Lakers will be hard to beat – with their height advantage and better team chemistry (compared to the Heat).
I’d really love to see the game tonight!! Go BLAZERS!
January 9, 2011 at 12:59
The heat are going to win the east. There’s no question about that. The Celtics are good, but I think most teams are going to be smarter about their play in the regular season, whereas the heat are going all out, trying to win everything.
I think that approach is going to hurt them when the playoffs come around though. They’ll be tired, and they’ll have to face some tough teams. Two of the top teams in the west – San Antonio and LA – all have some pretty hefty playoff experience.
LeBron hasn’t seen success in the playoffs yet, and I don’t think that’s going to change for him and “The Heatles” this year.
January 9, 2011 at 13:08
Free Blazers Tickets?
Yes Please
Gobble Gobble ‘em up!
January 9, 2011 at 13:09
I would love to see Miami win the East but I think that Boston will take it. In any case Miami has Howard and I would love to see him play again!!
January 9, 2011 at 13:41
Will they win the East? During the regular season yes, they’ll probably have the best record at the end but with Lebron. I’d predict a playoff exit.
Sorry Miami, no ring.
January 9, 2011 at 13:47
Heatles? Really?! With a name like that let’s hope they don’t make it. Blazers, kick some ass tonight and take me with you!
January 9, 2011 at 14:28
They certainly have all the tools to go all the way. If they can all stay healthy and avoid any injuries, I can see them winning the East. They got over all the early season rough spots, which makes me think if there were going to be any ego clashes, they would’ve disintegrated then, so I think that won’t be a problem. As for the whole thing, I dunno, the Lakers are gonna be tough as always.
January 9, 2011 at 14:30
No and No
why? two words, Boston Celtics.
as for tonight Go Blazers!
January 9, 2011 at 14:30
No, they will be strong come playoffs but I believe they are still working through some kinks. Next year will be their year, after they have meshed totally and have the opportunity to add a couple more complimentary pieces in the offseason.
January 9, 2011 at 14:35
No they will implode in the playoffs. The egos will come out and the lakers will 3peat.
January 9, 2011 at 14:40
Miami will win the West this year, then maybe the Central next. Chamberlain will score 50 tonight. They may win the east but not this year, Bill Russell is too tough. But, if the Giants can win the World Series anything can happen.
January 9, 2011 at 14:49
Yes. If Lebron could make a deep playoff run with the misfits the Cavs had as teammates, he will have no trouble getting by the aging Celtics and Lakers with Wade and Bosh.
January 9, 2011 at 15:01
Yes. Cheating bastards.
January 9, 2011 at 15:05
Congrats to the winner!!
January 9, 2011 at 15:06
No. Big heads don’t make big teams.
January 9, 2011 at 15:16
Congratulations!
You have been chosen as winner and emailed.
December 12, 2011 at 12:24
They could take the East but I don’t think they will take championships. I just want to watch Lebron play.