Game 32 Preview: Blazers at 'Wolves

by Dave on Jan 2, 2008 2:03 AM PST in News

We just played Minnesota last week so there's no need to redo a preview. In case you missed it the first time the original is here.

Normally you'd make allowances for a team being at home but the Timberwolves have shown themselves equally accomplished at losing home or away. OK, technically that's an exaggeration. They actually have three times as many wins at home as on the road: 3-16 at Target Center, 1-16 away.

That's not to say that this game is a gimme. The Blazers will need to show they are bouncing back from their first loss in forever. But really Portland should win. It would be a shock not to, don't you think?

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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A loss tonight would be a disaster

It would give ammo to all the pundits who want to chalk up this season's success to luck, a favorable home schedule, whatever. It would also be very damaging to the team's psyche.

That said, I don't foresee a loss. I'm on the record as saying this team is going to compete for the last couple of playoff spots in the West. Minnesota is not one of the physical teams the Blazers will struggle with.

101-87 Blazers, final score.

by leeroyjenkins on Jan 2, 2008 9:01 AM PST reply actions

Rebound

Both in the basketball sense (e.g. the Blazers need to crash the boards better than they did against the Jazz) and in the morale sense (e.g. get a win after a tough loss and more importantly get a win on the road). I think they can do it tonight, after all, they're not coming off a back-to-back as they did in Utah, but they definitely cannot take the T-Wolves for granted.

I think it will be a bit closer than Leeroy predicts - let's say 97-91 Blazers - but I think they can win.

by DonkeyShins on Jan 2, 2008 11:27 AM PST reply actions