Preview: Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets | Watch In Portland + Drink Specials
December 29, 2011 — PDXPIPELINE
Watch Trailblazers Games in Portland:
Tanker Bar (Se Hawthorne & 48th) | (503) 445-4635
Tanker Bar will be playing all games on their 6 large LCD TVs. $1 Pabst during all Blazers & Football games, and $1 off Nachos during all games. 15 beers on tap, Buckhunter, free popcorn. More info: tankerbar.com
Blitz (Ladd, Pearl, Tigard, NW 21)
Blitz's FOUR locations will be happening as always with tons of televisions, drinks specials, and games (ping pong, shuffleboard, buckhunters, horseshoes in Tigard, and more). More info: blitzbarpdx.webs.com
Bazi Bierbrasserie (1522 SE 32nd Ave) | (503) 234-8888
Happy hour from 3-7PM. $1 off selected beer plus other drink and food specials during every game! Watch the game on possibly the largest HD TV in Portland (115 inches, see it here). Enjoy food, beer, wine and cocktail specials. All other games: $3 pilsner, food, beer and cocktail specials. More info: bazipdx.com
East Burn (East Burnside & 18th)
East Burn will have the game on a large projection screen on their heated patio and also downstairs. Recess discount menu from 3-6PM. They have daily drink specials. More info: www.theeastburn.com/Daily-Specials.pdf)
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Preview - Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets:
By Cain Stoneking
Denver Nuggets (2-0) @ Portland Trailblazers (2-0)
Thursday, December 29th, 7:00pm CSN, KGW
Game Notes: The Blazers dismantled the Kings in their last game and were able to rest their starters a little for this game. The Nuggets have looked amazingly strong and efficient in their two games, winning by an average of 19.5 points. Their starters were able to rest as well, but played in Denver last night (while the Blazers rested) so hopefully their legs get tired by the 4th quarter and the Blazers can make a move.
This is the toughest match-up the Blazers have faced yet and the one with the highest stakes. It is early in the season, but it's only a 66 game season. Some pundits have the Nuggets finishing higher than the Blazers, so the Blazers need to show up and put some pressure on every team in their division including the Nuggets.
The Nuggets:
Starting lineup: Aaron Afllalo, Ty Lawson, Timofey Mozgov, Danillo Gallinari, Nene
Bench: Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez, Al Harrington, Chris Anderson, Corey Brewer
X’s and O’s:
The Nuggets are a high scoring, high flying, fast paced team that loves to get out and run. The Blazers will HAVE to get back on defense after missed shots and turnovers because the Nuggets can also shoot very well. Hopefully, the Blazers can limit their turnovers and shoot at a high percentage themselves. Nene down low will be a hard cover for any Blazer but especially when Marcus Camby is out of the game. Look to see Aldridge try and defend him when Camby is resting. The other battle the Blazers will have to win is at the 3-point line. The Nuggets normally make a really nice living from there, so the Blazers will have to make it a priority to defend against that, and hopefully, knock down some of their own.
Once again we can say…
It’s a great day to be a Blazer. Expect Gerald Wallace to keep up his amazing level of play and for the Blazers to exploit all the weaknesses the Nuggets have. Denver still has a hard time playing defense so hopefully this up-tempo Portland team keeps them on their heels all night. After this game, the Blazers will hit the road for two games against the revamped Clippers and a poised Oklahoma City Thunder team. Then, they will return home to face the Lakers. If the Blazers aren’t careful, they could dig themselves an early hole in the division.
Last Words:
The Nuggets are proving that this chaotic schedule will play right in the hands of a young team such as Denver. However, at home with the veteran leadership the Blazers possess, expect Portland to win. The Rose Garden will see some familiar faces in Andre Miller and Rudy Fernandez who both played for Portland the last few years. They were huge fan favorites, so expect the Rose Garden to give them a cheer when they enter the game. This will also be the first time Raymond Felton faces his old team so expect a breakout game for him.
Games this week:
@ Clippers – 1st
@Oklahoma City – 3rd
LA Lakers – 5th
