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The Blazers got their revenge game against the Los Angeles Clippers last night. They played great team defense and led the whole fourth quarter. The Blazers are now 7-2 and undefeated at home.

Tonight comes a tougher challenge as the best big man in the game, Dwight Howard, comes to town. After this, the Blazers leave for a six game road-trip and won’t be back at the Rose Garden until January 23rd.

The games starts at 7PM on KGW. If you do not have television or want a good Portland establishment to enjoy the game with friends, here are several suggestions from our sponsors.

Watch Trailblazers Games in Portland:

Tanker Bar (Se Hawthorne & 48th) | (503) 445-4635 | More info: tankerbar.com
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.

Blitz (Ladd, Pearl, Tigard, NW 21) | More info: blitzbarpdx.webs.com
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).

East Burn (East Burnside & 18th) | (503) 236-2876 | More info: www.theeastburn.com
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 (pdf of specials here). 

NE 15th Avenue & Hawthorne Hophouses | More info: oregonhophouse.com
15th Avenue: 1517 NE Brazee | Hawthorne: 4111 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
The Blazers are back and we are ready to make up for lost time. While they dunk, we'll drink. Come watch the Blazers take on the Cavaliers at 6pm at the Hophouse! Dress in Blazer gear and get your first beer for $2.00.

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Preview - Portland Trail Blazers vs Orlando Magic: 

By Cain Stoneking

Orlando Magic (6-3) @ Portland Trailblazers (7-2)
Wednesday, January 11th, 7:00pm KGW
Schedule: Portland Trail Blazers 2011-12 Schedule + Win Tickets

Game Notes: The Blazers are coming off yet another complete game victory. Their balanced scoring and team defense was a true thing of beauty against the Clippers. Tonight, they face off against a perennial playoff team in the Orlando Magic.

The Magic should be having a tumultuous season, with Dwight Howard publicly asking to be traded. Despite this they are doing very well, and besides one game, have only lost to really good teams. They are well rested, while the Blazers are going to be playing on tired legs. But the Magic have been bar hopping around Portland since Monday, which will hopefully slow them down.

The Clippers:

Starting Lineup: Jason Richardson, Jameer Nelson, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Hedo Turkoglu
Bench: Glen Davis, JJ Redick, Chris Duhon, Chris Duhon, Von Wafer

X’s and O’s:

The Magic play a style of ball the Blazers wish they could have in the past. They throw the ball into Dwight for easy baskets and once the defense starts collapsing in, they throw it out to excellent three point shooters. For years, the Magic have had some of the best shooters in basketball. They also play the type of defense that can stop the Blazers. They get back quick enough to stop the fast break, and they clog the lane. Don’t expect to see Raymond Felton easily run down the paint and put up a layup or a quick pass for an easy dunk.

That is where Dwight resides and that area is his house. Instead, the Blazers must have excellent ball-movement and have to hit wide open jumpers. On defense, the Blazers will have to double team Dwight and then run like mad to cover the open shooters. They will have to burn a lot of energy on defense, but they should be up to the challenge.

Advantage Blazers:

This game is at home and the Blazers are undefeated at the Rose Garden thanks to the energy of their fans. However, this will be one of the harder games for the Blazers match-up wise since they really don’t have anyone to slow down Howard. Last year, they had an excellent game plan to just let Dwight score as many as he could, but keep everyone else in check. Maybe this will happen again as it resulted in a win last time. Someone is going to have to step up for this team. LaMarcus has been making great strides in the second half of games, and hopefully he can again.

Last Words:

Another way the Blazers can win is if they get Dwight into foul trouble. The Blazers need to win this game because after this, they start a tough six game road trip. With a troublesome road record, games like tonight can define the Blazers.

Games this week:
@San Antonio – 13th
@Houston - 14th
@ New Orleans – 16th
@ Atlanta – 18th