Blazers: When to Watch (week of March 28-April 2)

WHEN TO WATCH

BLAZERS AT SPURS

5:30 p.m. today at AT&T Center (CSN cable Channel 37)

Key match up: Wesley Matthews vs. Manu Ginobili

Sunday’s loss to Oklahoma City may have killed the buzz from the Blazers’ most dramatic win of the season, but it hasn’t mitigated San Antonio’s motivation. Just three days ago, Nicolas Batum soared over Tony Parker on a back-door cut, caught a lob pass from Andre Miller and laid it in to give Portland the two-point, come-from-behind win. But just before that, Matthews forced Ginobili to turn the ball over, which kept the Blazers in the game. How Matthews is able to defend the awesome Argentine may dictate this game’s outcome.

To win: Play 48 minutes. No matter who is on the court, the Spurs are always dangerous. Nobody averages more than 19 points per game or plays more than 33 minutes, so Portland must be cognizant of all weapons. Hitting 3-point shots early to open up the interior for LaMarcus Aldridge should benefit them greatly.

BLAZERS AT HORNETS

7 p.m. Wednesday at New Orleans Arena. (CSN cable Channel 37)

Key match-up: Nate McMillan vs. Monty Williams

It’s no secret that Williams was an assistant with Portland last season, but that doesn’t mean he holds any specific advantage heading into Wednesday’s game. But he has taken a team expected to struggle this year and made it a playoff contender. With leading scorer David West out for the season with a knee injury, though, Williams must prove his ability to adjust, something McMillan has shown an affinity for all season.

To win: Take advantage of West’s absence. We’ve seen teams adjust without All-Star-caliber players — a Carmelo Anthony-less Nuggets team serving as the prime example. But with West out, the Blazers need to unleash that killer instinct they showed against the likes of Cleveland and Washington, in which they smelled blood and attacked.

THUNDER AT BLAZERS

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

Key match-up: Gerald Wallace vs. Kevin Durant

Wallace had his best game as a Blazer on Sunday when he dropped 40 points on 16 of 28 shooting. And while Durant, the league’s leading scorer, struggled from the field, OKC still came up with the win. But the Blazers are far better at home than they are on the road, and while Wallace’s energy will remain high, the Rose Garden crowd should be able to elevate the rest of the team.

To win: Do something different. Portland has been in the hunt in all three match-ups against the Thunder this year but have fallen short every time. Whether it’s slowing down Russell Westbrook or balancing out the offense, the Blazers need to adapt to avoid the season sweep.

MAVERICKS AT BLAZERS

7 p.m. Sunday at Rose Garden (CSN cable channel 37)

Key match-up: LaMarcus Aldridge vs. Dirk Nowitzki

Not a lot of breaks on the schedule, are there? Dallas will conclude a six-game stretch for the Blazers in which they will have faced four teams among the top 7 in the Western Conference standing. But Portland did knock off the Mavericks the last time the two met, with Aldridge going for 30 points. But Dallas has been surprising teams all year and are fighting hard for that second seed in the West … which may end up pitting them against the Blazers in the first round.

To win: Control the interior. Aldridge has made a habit of destroying Western Conference forwards who made the All-Star team over him, and Dirk wasn’t spared his wrath. Nowitzki maybe the league’s most versatile power forward, but Aldridge has the ability to best him inside.