Discussion on the upcoming game against the Atlanta Hawks. Please feel free to comment and participate in the discussion.

Starting Lineups

Portland TrailBlazers (Home)

PG: Steve Blake (6.8 ppg, 3.8 apg, .429 3PT%)

SG: Brandon Roy (27.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, .898 FT%)

SF: Martell Webster (9.0 ppg, 1.8 spg)

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge (13.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, banged knees with Al Green on Nov. 1)

C: Greg Oden (6.5 ppg, 2.75 bpg, 10.0 rpg, .563 FG%)

Other Key Players:

G: Rudy Fernandez (9.5 ppg, 1.5 spg)

G: Andre Miller (9.0 ppg, 3.5 apg)

F: Travis Outlaw (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

C: Joel Pryzibilla (2.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

Atlanta Hawks (Away)

PG: Mike Bibby (10.3 ppg, 4.3 apg)

SG: Joe Johnson (23.0 ppg, 5.3 apg)

SF: Marvin Williams (10.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

PF:  Josh Smith (15.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 5.7 apg)

PF/C: Al Horford (13.3 ppg, 12.3 rpg)

Other Key Players:

G: Jamal Crawford (12.0 ppg, 2.0 apg)

Key Matchups

Brandon Roy (SG), Joe Johnson (SG)

Two great Shooting Guards match up. Brandon's been playing well, scoring 27 points a game. But so has Joe Johnson, who's been scoring 23. Defense is the key to this matchup. Can Roy shut down Johnson? Can Johnson shut down Roy? The game lies in the balance.

Martell Webster (SF), Aldridge (PF), Josh Smith (PF)

Martell's been playing great ball. He's ended up with 2 highlight reel plays in 4 games. But so has J-Smooth (Josh Smith). The strong, athletic Smith will be a challenge for Martell Webster to defend. However, Martell's had experience guarding elite players at the SF position (Carmelo Anthony, Game 2; Kevin Durant, Game 4) and has done a great overall job, even holding Durant to 3 made FGs in the Blazers' matchup with Oklahoma City. McMillan has been emphasizing defense. This is Martell's chance to shine.

(Correction [Thanks, Rudiculous])

Smith is a player capable of playing at the PF position or the SF. Atlanta has been using him at the PF lately. LaMarcus will be hard-pressed to keep up with his explosive speed, strength, and instinct. LaMarcus will be harassed on offense and have to hustle on defense. He will have to scrap and fight during every single ball possession, whether on offense, or on defense. So will Martell if he's covering J-Smooth, and Travis, if he's coming off the bench at PF.

Game Overview

The Hawks just came off a tough loss against the Lakers. Joe Johnson hasn't been playing good defense, allowing Kobe to rack up 42 points. I predict this to be a high-scoring affair, with the Hawks average 110 ppg and the TrailBlazers averaging 95 ppg. Defense is the key to winning this game for the Blazers. If they can stop the formidable two-pronged attack of Johnson and Smith, the Blazers should have this game. Look for Oden to stay hot on defense, and Roy to play well in the fourth quarter, as he's been doing lately. With the game location at the rocking Rose Garden, I would look for the Blazers to pick up a close win.

Final Prediction: TrailBlazers 107, Hawks 100