Watch Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers In Portland | Game Preview, Food & Drink Specials
February 20, 2012 — PDXPIPELINE
Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM on CSN and TNT. If you do not have cable or want a good Portland establishment to enjoy 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).
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Portland Trail Blazers @ Los Angeles Lakers
Portland Trailblazers (17-15) @ Los Angeles Lakers (18-13)
Monday, February 20th, 7:30pm TNT
Game Notes: Hooray! In the blink of an eye, the Blazers went from being in serious trouble to having a much brighter future. A new line-up and a sense of urgency have brought the Blazers back from the brink. Add on the fact that Felton came off one of the all-time worst games for a starting point guard and went on to a very respectful eleven points and eight assists against Atlanta. The Blazers look strong again. With a win tonight, they would only be a half game behind the Lakers in the standings.
The Lakers have not been looking like themselves lately. Kobe is looking much older and his team is looking up to the Clippers in the standings. This is the Lakers though, so they may just be waiting for the postseason to really turn it on. They are, however, very good at home. Currently they are 13-2 at the Staples Center so the Blazers are going to have to give a lot of energy and effort.
The Hawks:
Starting Lineup: Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Matt Barnes, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
Bench: Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, Josh McRoberts, Troy Murphy, Luke Walton
X’s and O’s:
The Lakers do so many things well, but they do not play with enough energy to stop a team that is quick up the court. If the Lakers trap you into playing half-court offense, then they win more often than they lose. If the Blazers get after rebounds and push the tempo, however, then they can be very successful. Most of the players will be a wash in this game but the huge matchup will be LaMarcus against Pau Gasol. That alone should have many basketball fans tuning in.
Advantage Blazers:
The new line-up for the Blazers looked very dangerous on Saturday against the Hawks. Felton, Batum, Wallace, Aldridge and Camby may be the success to a big Blazers run. Batum has become the second option for this team in a hurry. It is hard for teams to double down on LaMarcus with Batum making the cuts he is making and shooting so well from the three point line. In this game, he will be matched up against Kobe Bryant. Kobe just played 40 minutes in last night’s game so he may be tired while Batum might be looking for something to prove.
Last Words:
Only two games left until the all-star break means this is a good time for the Blazers to make a miniature push. This game also signifies the 66-game season is half over. The Blazers will be paced to win 34 or 36 games which is probably a low seed in the playoffs. They really need to take every game seriously. Hopefully fans will get to watch this game in its entirety as last time these two teams played TNT really dropped the ball and fans missed the first half.
Games this week:
San Antonio – 21st
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.
