The Blazers hold off a spirited Minnesota team behind new career-highs in points for both LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Fernandez, despite losing both Nicolas Batum and Marcus Camby to injuries at halftime.
Aldridge tallied 36 points and 10 rebounds, next to Fernandez's 26 points (18 in the first half), 6 assists and 3 steals. The game was close throughout, with Portland peaking at a 10 point lead for mere seconds. Michael Beasley scored 33 to keep Minnesota close, and Kevin Love scored 19 with 17 rebounds. Martell Webster, returning to a Portland with a crowd ovation, scored 19 points with 9 rebounds.
If you can see a replay, prepare for fast breaks, dunks, alley-oop dunks and even a four point play. But also prepare for a game where Portland barely held off a team with a record of 6-21, despite playing at home.
Neither Camby nor Batum returned from the locker room at halftime. Batum is listed with a strained right shoulder, and Camby with a right shoulder contusion. These are initial diagnoses, and may be updated later after further review.
There is no recap from Dave tonight, but Ben will post the Media Row report later, along with any updates about Nic and Marcus. I'll post any updates if they arrive before that. -- Tim
UPDATE (10:24pm): Joel Przybilla also bruised his ankle tonight. Even though he played through it, the Blazers report that his ankle has swelled to three times its normal size afterward. His status may change shortly. The team also announced that Luke Babbitt is being recalled to the Blazers for tomorrow night's game against Golden State.
For those wondering, Nic's right shoulder is indeed the same one that was surgically repaired last year.