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BOBCATS VS. BLAZERS
7 p.m., Time Warner Cable Arena
TV: Fox Sports Carolinas*. Radio: WBCN AM-1660.
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Bobcats |
Blazers |
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|
Pos |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
Pos |
Player |
Reb |
Pts |
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|
G |
R. Bell |
4.5 |
12.3 |
G |
S. Blake |
2.3 |
8.0 |
|
|
G |
R. Felton |
2.6 |
12.4 |
G |
A. Miller |
2.9 |
9.8 |
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|
F |
G. Wallace |
12.3 |
13.9 |
F |
B. Roy |
3.9 |
20.8 |
|
|
F |
B. Diaw |
5.6 |
11.9 |
F |
L. Aldridge |
7.4 |
14.1 |
|
|
C |
T. Chandler |
6.9 |
6.8 |
C |
G. Oden |
8.7 |
10.1 |
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* Not available on all cable systems.
KEY MATCHUP
Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge versus Boris Diaw: Brandon Roy and Greg Oden are better known, but Aldridge lit up the Bobcats last season, averaging 23 points, 7.5 rebounds and two steals in the two meetings. Aldridge's length makes him a tough cover for Diaw, an undersized power forward.
OBSERVATIONS
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant has been more productive, but I still think the Blazers did the right thing drafting Oden No. 1 overall in the 2007 draft. The Blazers already had plenty of wing scorers. A center of Oden's potential impact at both ends is what a championship contender needs.
Blazers coach Nate McMillan is going with a small lineup that places Roy at small forward and starts two point guards, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. With three capable ballhandlers, Portland can initiate offense from all over the court.
Oden has been criticized in the past for being a non-factor offensively. But now he's in double-figures scoring and shooting 63 percent from the field and 82 percent from the foul line.
TAP-INS
The Bobcats have been outrebounded in two of the past three games after winning that stat in their first five.
The decision to use Roy at small forward and start Miller has trimmed Rudy Fernandez's minutes at shooting guard. The Blazers are still looking at how best to use Jerryd Bayless.
Ex-Bobcat Juwan Howard played a single minute in the five games preceding the Blazers' matchup with the Hornets Friday night.
Bobcats combo guard Flip Murray missed Thursday's practice with a toe injury, but fully participated Friday.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Bobcats have had a remarkably good record against the Northwest Division over the past two seasons - 9-1 at home and 12-8 overall against Portland, Denver, Utah, Minnesota and Seattle/Oklahoma City.
