Bobcats at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: It looks like a mismatch when the Portland Trail Blazers host the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday. Not only have the Bobcats lost nine straight games overall and possess the NBA’s worst record, but Charlotte has only one road victory this season while the Trail Blazers have just one home loss. The Bobcats were routed 106-73 by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday to drop to 1-11 on the road. Charlotte has lost eight road games by double digits and its lone road win occurred against the New York Knicks on Jan. 4. Portland is 9-1 at home and its only loss was Jan. 11 against the Orlando Magic. The Trail Blazers lost on the road to the Utah Jazz 93-89 on Monday despite having a double-digit lead midway through the third quarter. “We definitely had control and we let it slip away,” said forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 25 points. “No excuses.”
TV: 10 p.m. ET, SportSouth (Charlotte), Comcast SportsNet (Portland)
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (3-19): There are few bright spots in Charlotte but rookie guard Kemba Walker is making significant strides and displaying that he can be a building block for the struggling franchise. Walker has scored in double figures in five of the last six games and became the first rookie to notch a triple-double this season when he had 20 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against the Washington Wizards on Saturday. “I just can’t think of enough good things to say about him and how well he’s going to do in the future,” Bobcats coach Paul Silas said.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (12-9): Forward Nicolas Batum will miss Wednesday’s game after avoiding a serious knee injury in Monday’s game against the Jazz. Batum underwent an MRI exam and it was determined that he didn’t suffer anything more than a bruise. At the time Batum collapsed to the court, it appeared he had suffered major damage. “When I came home and saw the video, it was like, ‘I’m done for the season,’” Batum said. The Trail Blazers will re-evaluate his status later this week. Batum is averaging 11.4 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland has won its last three home games against Charlotte.
2. Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin (right big toe) will miss his sixth straight game.
3. Trail Blazers forward Gerald Wallace averaged just 10.0 points in two games against the Bobcats last March after being traded by the team that employed him for 6 1/2 seasons.