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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

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Comfort of home awaits Trail Blazers

Portland begins long home stand against lowly Sixers

By , Columbian Trail Blazers Writer
Published:

The Portland Trail Blazers had been on the road for 14 of 18 days following their wild overtime victory over Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

But now the Trail Blazers (23-7), sitting in second place in the Western Conference, can reap the benefits of getting their hard work out of the way.

Friday they retake the Moda Center floor, where they will be for almost three weeks, against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers.

The rest and extended time at home could not come at a better time for the Blazers, who have fought off injury and illness in the last two weeks.

The Blazers are winners of six of seven, although they will be without Robin Lopez for at least another month. Nicolas Batum missed two games of their last road trip after taking a nasty fall.

All-Star Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge missed Monday’s game in Houston due to an illness but came back Tuesday to score 25 points and grab nine rebounds.

But nobody has been more in the spotlight than point guard Damian Lillard, who hit big shot after big shot in dramatic wins over San Antonio and Oklahoma City. He scored 43 and 40 points in those wins, respectively, and his shooting has been as timely as ever.

The Sixers come into Portland with the fewest wins in the league. But Portland’s last meeting with Philadelphia was not without a little drama.

The Sixers led by four at halftime and forced the Blazers into 17 turnovers. Philly is anemic on the offensive end but has played excellent defense as of late.

Over the last seven games, the Sixers have allowed the third fewest points per 100 possessions according to NBA.com. The Blazers have been fourth during that span.

Philly plays at a breakneck pace and moves the ball around. The Blazers had Christmas Day off, but the first game back home from a road trip is often a tricky one.

During their extended home stand, the Blazers will also have the chance to beef up their already impressive 12-1 record against the Eastern Conference.

Six of their next seven games come against Eastern Conference teams with only two teams, Toronto and Atlanta, bringing in winning records.

The Blazers will have a target on their back, but they also have an opportunity to rack up more wins while also getting some much needed rest.

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Columbian Trail Blazers Writer