Lakers at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: When the Los Angeles Lakers meet the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday at the Rose Garden, they will come in with Kobe Bryant, their world titles and plenty of attention, but not necessarily with an advantage. Portland has the best record in the Western Conference (4-1), is unbeaten in three home games and the Rose Garden has been a house of horrors for the Lakers. Bryant is just 6-23 in Portland in his career and the Lakers are 4-16 in Portland since 2000. “They ain't talkin' about Portland making the playoffs,” Trail Blazers guard Raymond Felton said. “I like just where we are. I like us staying under the radar.” LaMarcus Aldridge sees Thursday's game as a measuring stick. “That's a real good test for us," he said. "Guys are finding their rhythm. We can get that game.” The good news for the Lakers is that this is their only trip to Portland this season.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE LAKERS (4-2): With All-Stars Bryant and Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum will always find it tough to be the center of attention, but he is making a strong bid to earn his first All-Star appearance. In three games, Bynum averages 22.7 points and 17 rebounds. He had 21 points and 22 rebounds in a victory over Houston on Tuesday. The scary thing is that Bynum is still somewhat out of shape and working on his conditioning.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (4-1): Portland has six players averaging at least 10 points and three averaging at least seven rebounds, but Gerald Wallace became the first Trail Blazer to produce a double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in Tuesday’s win over Oklahoma City. “We’ve got a lot of players that can do a lot of different things,” said guard Wesley Matthews, who averages 15.4 points and 5.2 rebounds. The Blazers assigned guard Armon Johnson and forward Luke Babbitt to Idaho of the NBA Development League on Wednesday.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland has the best record in the Western Conference for the first time since it was 42-18 on March 5, 2001.
2. The Blazers committed 46 turnovers in their previous two games but just nine against Oklahoma City.
3. Bynum is not immune to the struggles against Portland, averaging 6.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in 11 games.