Gameday Thread: Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans

Welcome to the Gameday Open Thread at Blazer’s Edge! This is a place to hang out and enjoy tonight’s festivities with your fellow fans. Treat it as if you’re watching a game at the local watering hole, but hopefully without the language. Expect some disagreements, and a fair amount of changing emotions. But we'll get through it together.

Injury update: For the Blazers, Robin Lopez is out until at least late January with a fractured hand. Nicolas Batum is attempting to play tonight, despite injuries suffered in his fall during the Bucks game.

Nicolas Batum says he will play tonight when the #Blazers visit New Orleans. "I have to," he said.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 20, 2014

However, he's having trouble with the decision.

After going through his pregame warmup routine, Batum might changed his mind about playing. "I don't know," he said. "I really don't."

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 20, 2014

As Batum was shooting pregame, he had noticeable pain in his wrist. He grimaced and rubbed wrist regularly.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 20, 2014

However, he eventually chose to play.

The Trail Blazers place F Nicolas Batum on their Active List and F Victor Claver on their Inactive List for tonight's game @ New Orleans.

— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) December 20, 2014

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The usual Gameday Thread rules apply:

1. No swearing
2. No pictures
3. No discussion of unlicensed Internet streaming
4. Be cool to each other!

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Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim