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Trail Blazers 102 @ Timberwolves 97 Game Thread
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6475

    Posted 01/04/2013 11:12 AM



    January 5th, 2013
    5:00 PM | Target Center | Minneapolis, MN
    Trail Blazers (17-15) At Timberwolves (15-14)

    What To Watch For

    Minnesota's Health
    Shortly after returning from his ACL tear suffered last season on December 15th, Ricky Rubio injured his back and hasn't played a single game since December 26th. As we all know, he is the most valuable player on that team, not Kevin Love. While Love is more talented, there's no denying how important Rubio is to Minnesota's playoff hopes as evidenced by the Wolves' collapse down the stretch after Ricky went down. Speaking of Love, he injured his finger during their last game against Denver with no word on how long he'll be sidelined for if at all. Then there's the wing injuries which have piled up for Minnesota. We all know about Brandon Roy and his chronic knee issues. Chase Budinger is out of commission for the next few months after having left knee surgery and Malcom Lee is out indefinitely after hyperextending his right knee. This will be a very different team the Trail Blazers will be facing on Saturday than the one they beat 103-95 back on November 23rd. With so many key contributors out of action for the Wolves, it means they have less depth and a shortened bench. Portland will also be playing their fourth game in five nights, and the starters have already logged heavy minutes through the first three games. This game will come down to whichever bench is able to maintain control over the game while the starters rest.

    Win The Backcourt Battle
    During Portland's win over Minnesota earlier this season, Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews combined to score 58 points, on 23-34 shooting from the field, including 9-14 behind the arc to go along with 11 assists and just 2 turnovers. Lee started in the backcourt along with Luke Ridnour last meeting which saw them combine for just 21 points and 3 assists. We all know Lee won't be active and it appears the Wolves have given the starting shooting guard reigns over to rookie Alexey Shved who has been impressive this season, averaging 11 points and nearly 5 assists per night. I expect Love to play and Nikola Pekovic is a load down low, so the Trail Blazers' advantage in this matchup is on the wings. If Matthews and Lillard shoot lights out again, it will be a big, big road win against not only a division rival but a team Portland is fighting for, for the eight and final playoff spot.

    Trail Blazers @ Timberwolves Highlights

    I am a fan of
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 01/04/2013 12:26 PM

    LA > Love    That is all.
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/04/2013 1:02 PM

    Sweep the Wolves!
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. BLASER
    BLASER
    Posts: 590

    Posted 01/04/2013 7:39 PM

    lets go 2-0 against the wolves 

    I am a fan of JJ Hickson Posterizing The Opposition
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1599

    Posted 01/04/2013 11:44 PM

    Is Brandon gonna play? 
    No...No
    ...that's not true...
    ... that's impossible!!
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. CarlJ1
    CarlJ1
    Posts: 398

    Posted 01/05/2013 12:57 AM

    A Blazer win and a 3-1 road trip will be a good birthday for me.
    I am a fan of Respect, Loyalty, Honor & Pride the same thing the Blazer & their true fans are made of RIP CITY STAND UP!
  1. BDawg
    BDawg
    Posts: 1455

    Posted 01/05/2013 6:50 AM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CarlJ1!  Hope our Blazers put a bow on this one for you!

    If not for Minnys struggles this year, I might consider this a trap game...much like the Raptor game was following that huge win in the big apple.  Look for the bench to get some more run in this one with the starters all coming off near 40 min performances last night and leaving everything on that Memphis floor.

    I am a fan of players that play with PASSION and PRIDE
  1. Jihad Jihad
    Jihad Jihad
    Posts: 23

    Posted 01/05/2013 9:34 AM

    I wonder if the Wolves will have any fans in the building with a Vikings game going on at the same time.
    I am a fan of a bottle of Tanquerray and a Shot-Gun.
  1. Jihad Jihad
    Jihad Jihad
    Posts: 23

    Posted 01/05/2013 9:39 AM

    Rubio and Love have just been ruled out for the game. Easy win.
    I am a fan of a bottle of Tanquerray and a Shot-Gun.
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 01/05/2013 10:11 AM

    The Vikings game will be shown throughout the concorse at the areana in Minnesota according to reports.

    Love AND Rubio will not play tonight.  Put the wounded Twolved out of their missery and come home 3-1!

  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6475

    Posted 01/05/2013 10:12 AM

    I wish Love and Rubio were playing. We have a young team that has shown a tendency to let their guard down when they feel an inferior opponent is on the court. This will be a good test for our boys. Do they have that playoff focus just yet? Guess, we will find out.
    I am a fan of
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/05/2013 10:30 AM

    I agree DHawes, it's time to take every game seriously. Maybe Love just is avoiding a LaMarcus matchup before the allstar game? At any rate we need to make buckets to win this one. I expect Damian to have a big game.
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 01/05/2013 11:07 AM

    If Love is selected for the All-Star game, I will never watch another All-Star game again, or refer to any player as an All-Star as if it meant anything.
  1. Jihad Jihad
    Jihad Jihad
    Posts: 23

    Posted 01/05/2013 12:18 PM

    No way Kevin Love makes the all-star game.
    I am a fan of a bottle of Tanquerray and a Shot-Gun.
  1. BLASER
    BLASER
    Posts: 590

    Posted 01/05/2013 1:42 PM

    yea there playing really thin tonight hopefully we don't take them lightly though and we run them out of there own building 

    I am a fan of JJ Hickson Posterizing The Opposition
  1. CarlJ1
    CarlJ1
    Posts: 398

    Posted 01/05/2013 7:19 PM

    Thanks BDawg for the love and Thank You Blazers for my BDay wish this team know how to always make it interesting but, we'll take the win enjoy the well deserved flight home Blazers RIP CITY STAND UP!
    I am a fan of Respect, Loyalty, Honor & Pride the same thing the Blazer & their true fans are made of RIP CITY STAND UP!
  1. BDawg
    BDawg
    Posts: 1455

    Posted 01/05/2013 7:32 PM

    There's your bow CarlJ1!  The Blazers are beginning to earn some national love and ink, and it's well deserved.  If anyone can find out when our team is scheduled to land at PDX, post it!  They've earned a crowd on this road trip.

    I am a fan of players that play with PASSION and PRIDE
  1. BLASER
    BLASER
    Posts: 590

    Posted 01/05/2013 8:23 PM

    deff came away with a successful road trip would of been better if we showed up in Toronto to play and came away with 4 straight road wins but oh well 3-1 is pretty good too 

    I am a fan of JJ Hickson Posterizing The Opposition
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1599

    Posted 01/05/2013 9:25 PM

    Blazers tied for 2nd place in NW Division!!!
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. Siccolo
    Siccolo
    Posts: 821

    Posted 01/06/2013 1:38 AM

    Didnt get to watch (again) sadly but Batum, Damian, Wes played GREAT!

    I saw like 2 mins of the game lol got to see Clavers Dunk OVER Steismsa, I am beginning to like Victor!

    BLAZERS ARE BEASTING RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!

    I am a fan of
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/06/2013 10:40 AM

    Great to get this win. The Wolves with 10 guys on the roster made a heck of a game of it in the 4th qtr. 36pt end game shows a lot of heart but our starter came in and put it away. 3-1 road trip is quite an achievement especially with 4 games in 5 days! You could tell our guys were gassed. 7th in the Western conf right now! Feels pretty good! I wanted to sweep the Wolves and we're halfway there now! Go Blazers!
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. flyroy69
    flyroy69
    Posts: 63

    Posted 01/06/2013 11:11 AM

    BF, I quit watching the All-Star Game several years ago because of this very thing! When they took a pretty much no-talent guy from the Clippers over Aldrige, that just affirmed it for me that it's a popularity contest, and nothing more than a charity event for Sterns retirement package.
    I am a fan of Summertime........when the livin is easy!
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/06/2013 11:31 AM

    I'm with you flyroy69...I vote for allstars just to try to get deserving players that resume that may get them in the Hall of Fame at their careers end. Actually I'd rather LaMarcus rested over that break for the sake of the team anyway
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
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