Trail Blazers vs. Hornets Game Thread
Coming off of their first undefeated road trip of the season, the Trail Blazers will battle the Hornets for the final game before the long awaited All-Star Break. Not only does this kick off a five-game homestand for Portland, but it could be a battle for 5th place out West. With Denver's loss last night, the Blazers are now tied for 6th and are closing in quick on the Hornets. It won't be easy, as New Orleans has handled Portland quite easily twice already this year, 107-87 in N.O. in early November and 97-78 just 13 days later in the Rose Garden.
For the Trail Blazers to come away victorious, they need to put away all thoughts of vacation that comes with the All-Star Break and focus in once more on the task at hand. Force the ball in Aldridge and see who N.O. decides to defend him. LA proved last game he was more than capable of going all Arvydas Sabonis on the Wolves by dropping dimes left and right out of the double team. Also, if the Blazers can heat up from 3 and get the raucous Rose Garden crowd fired up. The Hornets are 3rd best in the NBA in allowing points (92 per game), so if the Blazers can hit he century mark, #6 in a row could be on its way.
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