Game Time: 7:00 p.m. TV: KGW
The Blazers have faced the Oklahoma City Thunder enough this year that a full preview isn't necessary, even if one could be given during Portland's current state of flux. The preview from their March 18th meeting (a 111-95 loss for Portland) covers the current situation well enough. The February 6th preview gives a more detailed look at the Thunder. They're now 37-12, 15-8 on the road (virtually the same as Portland's 16-8 home record), and have won 4 of their last 5, breaking 110 in 3 of those wins.
Shooting guard Daequan Cook is out for the Thunder with a knee injury. Portland point guard Raymond Felton is out for personal/family reasons. That's going to make matching up with Russell Westbrook a tall order. The Blazers don't have Gerald Wallace to throw against Durant, nor Marcus Camby to match up with Kendrick Perkins. Only home heart, sterling shooting, and a little luck will give the Blazers a prayer in this game. One can't help but think how different this is than early in the year when we expected every contest between these teams would be a knock-down, drag-out battle...and it usually was. (sigh)
Use this thread to chat about the game. Don't miss yesterday's practice report or the Mailbag just below.
If the Blazers did have hope left of making the post-season, this would be the kind of game that could turn around their fortunes. There's a rabbit in that hat somewhere, Blazers. Pull it out!
Welcome to Loud City is your OKC place.
You will find tonight's Jersey Contest form here.
--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)