#PORvsDEN Preview
PORTLAND - The Portland Trail Blazers have put together back-to-back wins, but their play at times has brought reminders of the issues that led to the losing streak that preceded those victories.
Another matchup with the Denver Nuggets could bring out their best.
The Blazers look to win an eighth consecutive meeting with the visiting Nuggets on Saturday night.
Portland (46-25) ended a season-high five-game slide with Wednesday's 92-89 win over Utah, then defeated Phoenix 87-81 on Friday. The Blazers, though, needed to outscore the Jazz 37-24 in the fourth quarter before rallying from an eight-point deficit in the final quarter against the Suns.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth Friday for Portland, which shot just 40.4 percent overall and missed 10 of 18 from the free-throw line.
"I was just trying to find a rhythm, and then I made one shot, and then kind of played off of that," Aldridge said. "My teammates kept looking for me. I was just trying to make shots for us."
Nicolas Batum went 1 for 6 from the floor and scored five points in his return after missing the previous two with back problems. Chris Kaman had four and 11 rebounds off the bench after sitting out the last three with a shoulder injury.
INJURY REPORT
Portland: To be announced.
Denver: Darrell Arthur (Right Soleus Strain) is questionable.
Participation Status Key:
- Probable – 75% chance that the player will play in the game
- Questionable – 50% chance that the player will play in the game
- Doubtful – 25% chance that the player will play in the game
- Out – Player will not play in the game
Projected Starters
SF
PF
C
SG
PG
Season Series
Previous Games
Remaining Games
Series Notes
- Portland has won all three contests against Denver this season, pushing its winning streak over the Nuggets to seven consecutive games.
- In the last game between these two teams on Dec. 2 in Denver, Robin Lopez made a layup with 1.3 seconds left to lift Portland to a 105-103 victory.
- LaMarcus Aldridge scored 39 points and had 11 boards on Dec. 2 against the Nug- gets. His 16 field goals (of 30) represents a new career-high against Denver (30 games). • Nicolas Batum dished out a season-high 13 assists against Denver on Dec. 2.
- Portland recorded a season-high 130 points in its 130-113 victory in Denver on Nov. 12. The Trail Blazers scored 84 points in the first half, just two points shy of their franchise record for most points in any half.
- The Trail Blazers acquired Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee from Denver on Feb. 19 in exchange for Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson and a 2016 first round draft pick (lottery protected).
In Portland's Last Game
PHOENIX – Trail Blazers starting power forward and four-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge started out strong and finished even stronger, scoring 12 points in the final five minutes, which included a run of 10-straight, to lead the Trail Blazers to a 87-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns Friday night at US Airways Center.
The victory moves the Trail Blazers to 46-25 on the season and 18-18 on the road. The win is Portland’s first in Phoenix since Dec. 10, 2010, a now-broken streak of seven games.
Portland trailed 74-70 with 5:43 to play in regulation when Aldridge and Lillard combined to score the next 15 points for the Trail Blazers. Portland’s defense held the Suns to just two points during that run to pull away late in the fourth.