<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Blazers week ahead

What's coming up

The Columbian
Published: March 14, 2011, 12:00am

Mavericks at Blazers

7 p.m. Tuesday at Rose Garden (Channel 8)

Key match-up: LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Dirk Nowitzki.

Many credit Aldridge’s performance in the fourth quarter in Dallas as the impetus for what has turned into a career year. Many also feel that Dirk Nowitzki is the premier power forward in the Western Conference. Granted, the word “power” is used loosely when applied to Dirk, but his game is no doubt forceful. Few big men have the ability to spread the defense the way Nowitzki can.

To win: Not to go all Nate McMillan here, but “knock down shots.” Dallas is a 47-19 team that fans of rival Western Conference teams have mistakenly labeled as a desirable first-round match-up. Truth is, this team’s dangerous and requires an A+ effort to beat.

Cavaliers at Blazers

7 p.m. Thursday at Rose Garden (CSN cable Channel 37)

Key match-up: Blazers vs. Blazers.

It’s the NBA. Anyone can beat anyone. We saw the Lakers pummel the Cavs by 55 points earlier this season, then watched Cleveland come back and beat the Lakers. But the Cavs are 12-53 right now, and they are playing playoff-contending Portland in its home arena. The Blazers have to make sure complacency doesn’t slither its way onto the floor.

To win: Pretend it’s the Cleveland of last year, which won more regular-season games than anyone. Portland lost to an abysmal Kings team at home earlier this season due to a lack of focus. .

76ers at Blazers

7 p.m. Saturday at Rose Garden (CSN cable Channel 37)

Key match-up: Andre Iguodala vs. Gerald Wallace. Let’s face it, when the game could be decided based on the play of two small forward’s, Nicolas Batum is no longer the name mentioned for the Blazers. Wallace has supplanted the Frenchman as Portland’s premier 3-man, even if he is coming off the bench. .

To win: This isn’t as easy as it once was for the Blazers. Out of nowhere, Philadelphia has vaulted to 34-32 despite winning just 27 games last year. Doug Collins has his team motivated and six players are in double figures. That said, Aldridge is still the best player on the court if he’s at his best.

Blazers at Lakers

6:30 p.m. Sunday at Staples Center (Channel 8)

Key match-up: Deer vs. Headlights

The Lakers have left two indelible marks on Portland this year. The first came via a thrashing in Los Angeles, the second by way of an overtime heart-breaker led by the clutch play of Kobe Bryant. The Lakers no doubt have the Blazers’ number this year, so before the Portland can be ready to compete, it has to convince itself that it has a chance.

To win: Hit from the outside. Few, if any teams can hang with the Lakers inside. They’re the longest team in the league and have multiple championships to show for it. You don’t try to out-slug a slugger, and you don’t try to out-post Los Angeles. If the Blazers are cold from the outside, it could be a very chilly trip to California.

Loading...