NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers’ Jan. 4 matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Portland is coming off a disasterous performance against the Toronto Raptors, and things aren’t getting any easier with a visit to a surging Memphis team. The key matchup in this one is between LaMarcus Aldridge and Zach Randolph. Meyers Leonard is out with a sprained ankle.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella gives us his weekly Rick’s Picks, naming the All-Star performances showcased in Rip City. Damian Lillard, JJ Hickson, and Eric Maynor all put on the show in Minnesota, ultimately leading to all three of them receiving a selection to this week’s picks.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers March 4th matchup with the Charlotte Bobcats. The first time these two teams played, it proved to be one of the more dramatic showings of the season. Portland executed a massive comeback to perfection, and it ended up winning 118-112 in overtime. They key matchup this time around will be at the point guard position between Damian Lillard and Kemba Walker.
Bryant Knox previews the five biggest games remaining in the Portland Trail Blazers’ season. The Blazers began the year exceeding expectations, but they’ve since lost momentum, including a seven-game losing streak in the month of February. If the team wants to play past April, they’ll have to find wins against the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors and yes, the Charlotte Bobcats.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers March 2 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Portland is coming off of a tough loss to the Denver Nugets on Wednesday that went down to the last second. If Portland can take care of business early against the Wolves, last-second heroics won’t be necessary. The key matchup is going to be between the two big men in the middle, J.J. Hickson and Nikola Pekovic. LaMarcus Aldridge may also see some time against Minnesota’s center.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers’ Dec. 20 matchup against the Denver Nuggets. The Blazers will play host to the Nuggets Wednesday night, and a lot of points should be scored in front of a national television audience. The key matchup in this one is going to be between LaMarcus Aldridge and Kenneth Faried, but Damian Lillard and Ty Lawson will also be fun to watch.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers Blogger Bryant Knox breaks down how the team earned an ‘A’ at the 2013 NBA trade deadline. Portland’s bench has been the worst in the NBA, and it found a huge upgrade at the point guard spot when it picked up Eric Maynor from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Damian Lillard has been fantastic, but he’s playing the fourth-most minutes in the NBA and he needs help. The other move—or non-move, if you will—was to keep J.J. Hickson.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers’ Feb. 24 matchup against the Boston Celtics. The Blazers have lost eight straight games, and coming off a heart-breaking loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, they need a statement win at this point in ths season. The key matchup is going to be between LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Garnett, as there’s almost always bad blood when these two meet up.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers’ Feb. 22 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Staples Center has been a tough place to play for the Blazers throughout the years, and that’s not expected to change at this point in the losing streak. The key matchup is going to be between Damian Lillard and Steve Nash. Wesley Matthews is questionable, while Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill are out.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers writer Rick Stella gives us his weekly Rick’s Picks, naming the All-Star performances showcased in Rip City. LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard earn All-Star recognition for their performance against the Miami Heat, while Lillard earns double recognition for his time at All-Star Weekend. Reaching away from the Blazers, but staying true to the Pacific Northwest, Portland native and former Washington Husky earns Dunk of the Week for his showing in the Dunk Contest.
NWSB Insider and Portland Trail Blazers blogger Steve Lee breaks his best of the best of the NBA All-Star performances from the Blazers history. As the past weekend showed us all, the Blazers weren’t highly publicized during the festivities. That’s okay though, Steve has brought us the days of yore, back when the Blazers were relevant in the NBA world.
Bryant Knox previews the Portland Trail Blazers’ Feb. 19 matchup against the Phoenix Suns. The Blazers went into All-Star Weekend on one of their coldest streaks of the entire season. They need to turn things around beginning with Phoenix, and they need to start winning winnable games if they hope to make the playoffs. The key matchup is going to be between Damian Lillard and Goran Dragic. J.J. Hickson and Marcin Gortat will also be fun to watch.
