Blazers: When to Watch 2/21

When to watch this week

LAKERS AT BLAZERS

7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rose Garden (Channel 8)

Key match-up: Blazers post players vs. Lakers post players.

Talk to enough coaches, and it’s not just Kobe Bryant that makes the Lakers so tough to beat, it’s their size. With 7-footers such as Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol — not to mention the gazelle-like 6-foot-9 Lamar Odom, penetrating and/or controlling the boards becomes exceedingly difficult for opponents.

Making it worse for the Blazers is the fact that Marcus Camby has not yet returned from his knee surgery, and that the team’s lack of size has forced 6-foot-8 Dante Cunningham to start at “center.”

As for Bryant, he’s actually having one of his better seasons. Yes, 25.1 points per game doesn’t seem overwhelming compared to his total body of work, but considering he’s producing those numbers in fewer than 34 minutes per contest is impressive.

To win: Hope the Lakers’ alter ego shows up. Los Angeles may have dropped their past three games, including one to the Cavaliers, who lost an NBA record 26 straight games this year. But make no mistake — they’re still the champs and have all the pieces in place to make another run. If Portland can get what’s becoming typical ungodly production from Aldridge, they stand a chance. But trust that the Lakers are looking to start the second half of their season with a statement.

NUGGETS AT BLAZERS

7:30 p.m. Friday, at Rose Garden (CSN cable Channel 37, and ESPN cable Channel 35)

Key match-up: Who knows? This game is after the trade deadline, and while an array of Blazers’ names come up in rumors, Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has been the most hotly discussed trade prospect all year. If he’s in town, his going up against Portland forward Nicolas Batum could be enticing, if not, Chauncey Billups vs. Andre Miller could be what to look for.

Both points guards rely more on their savvy than they do their speed. And while Billups is one of the better perimeter shooters in basketball, slowing down Andre Miller is proving to be difficult, even if he is already slow.

To win: Again, this depends on who’s playing. Anthony is consistently touted as one of the league’s best “pure scorers,” and if he gets comfortable, can exploit any opponent in the NBA. Still, no matter who’s in the lineup, if the Blazers continue to play their game — which is lean on LaMarcus and let one or two players supplement him offensively, and bring a collective effort defensively — most games at the Rose Garden are theirs to lose.