TUALATIN, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum and guard Jerryd Bayless are listed as probable for tonight’s game against the New Orleans Hornets at the Rose Garden.
The Blazers will start Andre Miller, Steve Blake, Martell Webster, LaMarcus Aldridge and Jeff Pendergraph versus the Hornets, Portland coach Nate McMillan said.
McMillan stated that the decision to play Batum and Bayless will be a game-time decision.
Asked what would make the difference for Batum (right shoulder) to be activated for the first time this season, McMillan said, “How he he feels before the game.”
Bayless (sprained left ankle) said he was confident he would be healthy enough to take the court.
“I’m going to play,” said Bayless, following a Monday morning shootaround at the team’s practice facility. “I’m going to try.”
Meanwhile, Batum told the media he also expected to play. The Blazers, though, stated that the second-year forward is still listed as probable and has not been added to tonight’s active list yet.
Batum averaged 5.4 points and 2.8 rebounds while starting 76 games as a rookie for Portland last season.
The 6-foot-8, 200-pound native of Lisieux, France was slated to be the Blazers’ opening-day starter at the small forward position this year.
However, Batum reinjured his right shoulder during training camp, after struggling with pain for months. He underwent surgery Oct. 26 to repair a torn labrum.
