76ers at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: Few teams in the NBA are going into the season with as
many question marks as the Portland Trail Blazers. The first day of
training camp was a huge blow to the team, when it learned that Brandon
Roy would be forced to retire because of persistent knee problems and
oft-injured center Greg Oden was going to be slow to return because of
his own knee issues. The Blazers got used to playing without Roy and
Oden last season, when LaMarcus Aldridge emerged as a star in the
frontcourt. Aldridge underwent a heart procedure recently but played in
the final preseason game and is expected to play when Portland opens its
season by hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. The 76ers made a
surprise run to the playoffs last season and return intact, though
rumors persist that Andre Iguodala is on the trading block.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, KGW (Portland)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (0-0):
Philadelphia is strong in the backcourt, where 21-year old point guard
Jrue Holiday emerged last season, averaging 14.0 points and 6.5 assists
while running coach Doug Collins’ offense. He teams with Lou Williams at
the point while Iguodala, Jodie Meeks and second-year swingman Evan
Turner take turns out on the wings. There is less depth in the
frontcourt beyond Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young. Center Spencer Hawes
returns but is still looking for a breakout season in his fifth
campaign. Philadelphia was 41-41 in 2010-11.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (0-0):
The positive to Roy and Oden being off the floor is that Portland can
now get out and run a bit more, especially with new point guard Raymond
Felton comfortable pushing the pace. Gerald Wallace was the subject of
trade rumors early in camp but is still around, giving the Blazers a
second strong scorer in the frontcourt who is also capable of stepping
out and shooting from long range. Veteran gunner Jamal Crawford was also
brought in to provide instant bench scoring. Portland finished 48-34
last season.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The 76ers have won six of the last nine meetings, though the Blazers won at the Rose Garden 110-101 in March.
2. Portland center Marcus Camby had an MRI on his surgically repaired left knee come back clean and is expected to play Monday.
3. Iguodala is averaging 20.5 points in 13 career games against Portland.