tlongII
10-06-2009, 12:10 PM
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/10/sacramento_at_portland_a_previ.html
SACRAMENTO AT PORTLAND
7 p.m. Tuesday, Rose Garden. No television. Radio on KXTG (FM 95.5).
About the Blazers: Coach Nate McMillan said he will probably use 10 players Tuesday night, including a starting lineup of Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla. On Wednesday night, when the Blazers play the Kings again, but in Sacramento, he said he will use a different lineup. "We've had a good training camp," McMillan said. "But we need a game to see where we are. I want them to be as sharp as they can, and we are playing to win." Roy, who has a sore hamstring, practiced Monday, and McMillan said he will play it by ear with his star during the eight-game preseason schedule. "It's really listening to the players," McMillan said.
About the Kings: New coach Paul Westphal takes over a rebuilding project in Sacramento. Much of the roster has been revamped since a 17-win season in 2008-09. The Kings will rely on shooting guard Kevin Martin and second-year forward/center Jason Thompson. Second-round pick Jon Brockman, a former standout at Washington, has been impressive during training camp and had 19 points and 18 rebounds in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night. Martin led all scorers with 29 points and Thompson had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Former Blazer Sergio Rodriguez is part of a three-way competition at point guard. Forward Sean May is a strong candidate to make the roster. He has shed nearly 30 pounds after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury. May had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the scrimmage. Veteran Desmond Mason also is making a strong push to make the roster. Indications are that Andres Nocioni, acquired from Chicago in the Brad Miller/John Salmons deal, will come off the bench. Center Spencer Hawes did not participate in the team's intrasquad scrimmage because of a slightly sprained left ankle.
UPDATE: The Sacramento Bee is reporting the Kings will start Tyreke Evans at point guard, Kevin Martin at shooting guard, Desmond Mason at small forward, Jason Thompson at power forward and Sean May at center. Spencer Hawes is still bothered by a sprained ankle.
Behind the whistle: Tuesday's game will feature replacement referees because the NBA and the regular referees were unable to come to a labor agreement. The last time the league used replacement referees was in 1995.
SACRAMENTO AT PORTLAND
7 p.m. Tuesday, Rose Garden. No television. Radio on KXTG (FM 95.5).
About the Blazers: Coach Nate McMillan said he will probably use 10 players Tuesday night, including a starting lineup of Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla. On Wednesday night, when the Blazers play the Kings again, but in Sacramento, he said he will use a different lineup. "We've had a good training camp," McMillan said. "But we need a game to see where we are. I want them to be as sharp as they can, and we are playing to win." Roy, who has a sore hamstring, practiced Monday, and McMillan said he will play it by ear with his star during the eight-game preseason schedule. "It's really listening to the players," McMillan said.
About the Kings: New coach Paul Westphal takes over a rebuilding project in Sacramento. Much of the roster has been revamped since a 17-win season in 2008-09. The Kings will rely on shooting guard Kevin Martin and second-year forward/center Jason Thompson. Second-round pick Jon Brockman, a former standout at Washington, has been impressive during training camp and had 19 points and 18 rebounds in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday night. Martin led all scorers with 29 points and Thompson had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Former Blazer Sergio Rodriguez is part of a three-way competition at point guard. Forward Sean May is a strong candidate to make the roster. He has shed nearly 30 pounds after sitting out all of last season with a knee injury. May had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the scrimmage. Veteran Desmond Mason also is making a strong push to make the roster. Indications are that Andres Nocioni, acquired from Chicago in the Brad Miller/John Salmons deal, will come off the bench. Center Spencer Hawes did not participate in the team's intrasquad scrimmage because of a slightly sprained left ankle.
UPDATE: The Sacramento Bee is reporting the Kings will start Tyreke Evans at point guard, Kevin Martin at shooting guard, Desmond Mason at small forward, Jason Thompson at power forward and Sean May at center. Spencer Hawes is still bothered by a sprained ankle.
Behind the whistle: Tuesday's game will feature replacement referees because the NBA and the regular referees were unable to come to a labor agreement. The last time the league used replacement referees was in 1995.