Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Lakers | Brandon Roy Is Back?
February 23, 2011 — PDXPIPELINEBy Andy Popp
GAME 57: Blazers (32-24) vs Los Angeles Lakers (39-19)
February 23, 7:30PM, KGW
Previous match-up(s): November 7 Blazers 96 Lakers 121
Steve Blake makes his triumphant return to the Rose Garden tonight as his Los Angeles Lakers face the Blazers for the second time this season. The Lakers are 39-19 right now, but are 6-6 over their last 12 and have had some locker room chemistry issues this season.
The Lakers trounced the Hawks last night 104-80. Unfortunately, Even though the Lakers are playing their second game in as many days, the only starter that played more than 26 minutes was Pau Gasol (he played 34). Considering the Lakers are one of the oldest teams in the league, this is still a huge advantage for the Blazers. Also factor in the 2 hour late night plane ride and we can expect the Lakers to be dragging a little tonight.
STRATEGY
The Blazers are going to have trouble dealing with the Lakers' size. In order to combat the Blazers will need to get to the free throw line early and often. Help from distance would also go along way towards a win tonight.
The Lakers on paper:
Starting five: Ron Artest, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher
Off the bench: Joe Smith, Lamar Odom, Steve Blake, Luke Walton, Shannon Brown, Derrick Caracter, Devin Ebanks
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Marcus Camby will not play tonight.
Brandon Roy will probably play.
The trade rumors are still swirling with Andre Miller, Joel Pryzbilla and Marcus Camby at the center.
The Blazers are making a push for Gerald Wallace.
LET'S GET RICH
To date: 25-19-2
Blazers +2.5. Blazers defend home court tonight and extend their winning streak to 7 games.
TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez
NUMBER OF BACK TO BACKS THIS SEASON (IN SETS)
14
NEXT 5
vs Denver
vs Atlanta
vs Houston
@ Sacramento
vs Charlotte
BOTTOM LINE
The Blazers had the All Star weekend to heal up and refresh their legs. It's time to get back to work and extend their 6 game winning streak. After the Lakers tonight the Blazers have the blown up Denver Nuggets Friday night at home.
