tlongII
01-05-2013, 11:47 AM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2013/01/portland_trail_blazers_at_minnesota_timberwolves_g _2.html
About the Blazers: Portland wraps up a four-games-in-five-nights road trip on which it has beaten two of the league's top teams, New York and Memphis, and lost to Toronto. The Blazers have not had a winning record on a road trip of four games or longer since the beginning of the 2010-11 season. ... The Blazers' 17-15 record after 32 games is identical to last season's, and one win ahead of their pace after 32 games in 2010-11. ... Hickson had 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Grizzlies on Friday for his 19th double-double of the season, which ranks third in the NBA. He trails league-leader Zach Randolph of Memphis by three.
About the Timberwolves: Minnesota, trying to end an eight-year playoff drought, is coming off one of its better wins of the season, 101-97 at Denver on Thursday. That came a night after the Timberwolves lost by 22 points at Utah. ... Love, who missed the season's first nine games with a fractured right hand, is shooting 34.5 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from three-point range. His scoring average has dipped 7.7 points from last season. He sprained a finger in his right hand against the Nuggets, and his status remains uncertain. ... Point guard Ricky Rubio, whose return from knee surgery was expected to give the Timberwolves a major lift, missed the last two games with back spasms. He is averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 assists in 18.4 minutes in the five games he has played.
Series history: Portland's home win in November extended its all-time lead to 65-26, which includes a 29-15 advantage in Minnesota. The Timberwolves won their only home game against the Blazers last season to end an eight-game losing streak against Portland at the Target Center.
Injuries: For Portland, center Meyers Leonard (sprained right ankle) and guard ****** Williams (left Achilles) will not play. For Minnesota, forward Chase Budinger (left knee), guard Brandon Roy (right knee) and guard Malcolm Lee (right knee) will not play. Love (sprained finger) and Rubio (back spasms) are questionable.
About the Blazers: Portland wraps up a four-games-in-five-nights road trip on which it has beaten two of the league's top teams, New York and Memphis, and lost to Toronto. The Blazers have not had a winning record on a road trip of four games or longer since the beginning of the 2010-11 season. ... The Blazers' 17-15 record after 32 games is identical to last season's, and one win ahead of their pace after 32 games in 2010-11. ... Hickson had 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Grizzlies on Friday for his 19th double-double of the season, which ranks third in the NBA. He trails league-leader Zach Randolph of Memphis by three.
About the Timberwolves: Minnesota, trying to end an eight-year playoff drought, is coming off one of its better wins of the season, 101-97 at Denver on Thursday. That came a night after the Timberwolves lost by 22 points at Utah. ... Love, who missed the season's first nine games with a fractured right hand, is shooting 34.5 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from three-point range. His scoring average has dipped 7.7 points from last season. He sprained a finger in his right hand against the Nuggets, and his status remains uncertain. ... Point guard Ricky Rubio, whose return from knee surgery was expected to give the Timberwolves a major lift, missed the last two games with back spasms. He is averaging 4.2 points and 4.0 assists in 18.4 minutes in the five games he has played.
Series history: Portland's home win in November extended its all-time lead to 65-26, which includes a 29-15 advantage in Minnesota. The Timberwolves won their only home game against the Blazers last season to end an eight-game losing streak against Portland at the Target Center.
Injuries: For Portland, center Meyers Leonard (sprained right ankle) and guard ****** Williams (left Achilles) will not play. For Minnesota, forward Chase Budinger (left knee), guard Brandon Roy (right knee) and guard Malcolm Lee (right knee) will not play. Love (sprained finger) and Rubio (back spasms) are questionable.