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The Blazers started this six game road trip with a loss, which makes two consecutive losses for the first time this season. They also lost Marcus Camby to a sprained ankle injury for a at least this game and likely the whole road trip. Their backup centers consist of oldest current NBA player Kurt Thomas and Chris Johnson, who has only played 26 minutes this season.

The Blazers knew they would likely face this position at some point in season, and have been reaching out to Pryzbilla to no avail. Maybe he will change his mind or the Blazers will adapt and pull together a couple wins on this trip depsite the tough circumstances.

The games starts at 5PM on Comcast Sports Network. 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 @ Houston Rockets: 

By Cain Stoneking

Portland Trailblazers (7-4) @ Houston Rockets (4-7)
Saturday, January 14th, 5:00pm CSN
Schedule: Portland Trail Blazers 2011-12 Schedule + Win Tickets

Game Notes: Well Friday the 13th was not friendly at all to the Blazers as they lost their second straight game. To add insult to injury (or vice-versa), it appears they also have lost Marcus Camby for a few days with a sprained ankle. Instead of some well deserved rest, they took the short plane ride to Houston to take on the Rockets. Now, what seemed to be an easy game for the Blazers has turned into a tough one.

The Rockets will also be coming off a back-to-back, just like the Blazers. However, both of those games were at home for the Rockets while both are on the road for the Blazers. It is early enough in the season to not make any game a must win, so if the Blazers can’t get it going tonight it is not a total loss. That being said, no one likes to be a part of a three game losing streak.

The Rockets:

Starting Lineup: Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin, Chandler Parsons, Luis Scola, Samuel Dalembert
Bench: Chase Budinger, Goran Dragic, Patrick Patterson, Jordan Hill

X’s and O’s:

The Rockets front-court wouldn't intimidate any team under normal circumstances. However, with Camby being out, this is not normal circumstances. The Blazers will have to find a way to neutralize Scola and Dalembert. Expect to see LaMarcus play a lot at the center position. Hopefully this means LaMarcus will set up on offense with his feet in the paint. The down side to this is he will have to guard centers bigger than him in Hill and Dalembert. Wallace and Batum will also play a lot of power forward. That is not good news against Scola, who in recent years has been a Blazer killer. With Camby gone, the Rockets are suddenly a match-up nightmare for the Blazers. The good side of this is that any one of the Blazers are capable of stepping up during any game, and honestly that is all it will take for them to get the victory.

Advantage Blazers:

Chris Johnson is going to get some minutes. When push comes to shove, he seems to respond well. Other teams will not have scouted him as much as they should have. Other than the veteran passing skills, he does all that Camby does, which is play good defense, block shots and grab rebounds. If he can do those things tonight, the Blazers will not miss Camby as much. However, if Johnson struggles, so will the Blazers. After a great playoff run, Johnson knows what is needed of him. He hasn’t seen a ton of playing time because he hasn’t had the opportunity to show he is worth it. Tonight will be his chance so hopefully he makes the most of it.

Last Words:

It only gets harder after tonight. The Blazers are capable of winning this game even though it is on a back-to-back without Camby. Last night was a perfect example of how desperate the Blazers need Marcus. The smaller line-ups have done extremely well at times. It will be up to the guards, mostly Crawford and Felton, to step-up after they both played a horrible game against the Spurs. The Blazers are a better team because they play better team basketball. Tonight they will need someone to look like a star without Camby.

Games this week:
@ New Orleans – 16th
@ Atlanta – 18th
@ Toronto – 20th

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Blazers coverage by Cain Stoneking, a life-long Oregonian who breathes Blazers basketball. During the offseason he enjoys backpacking and playing music in his local band Foxtrot. Follow him on twitter at Letsgoblazers, or write to him at lightcain@gmail.com.

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Our new Portland Events App for PDX Pipeline is now available for iPhones, Android phones and iPads!

Now, you can have all of the great Portland events from our website in the palm of your hand when you're out on the town.

Download the App for iPhone here

Download the App for Android here

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