Nets at Trail Blazers
THE STORY: The Portland Trail Blazers are four games off the pace for the final Western Conference playoff spot as they host the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday. Portland is in 11th place in the conference and facing an uphill climb that requires it to pass three other teams. The Trail Blazers blew an opportunity Monday by losing to the Utah Jazz. New Jersey had a three-game winning streak halted on Tuesday when it lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, YES (New Jersey),Comcast SportsNet Northwest (Portland)
ABOUT THE NETS (19-36): Forward Kris Humphries has grabbed 15 or more rebounds 15 times after registering 18points and 15 rebounds in the loss to the Lakers. Humphries has 23 double-doubles and is averaging a career-best 11 rebounds while earning a reputation as one of the top rebounders in the league. His career-best 13.5 scoring average is a nice bonus. Guard Deron Williams had 20 points against Los Angeles but only six assists after totaling 35 over the previous two games.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (25-29): Point guard Raymond Felton has experienced an up-and-down first season in Portland and will be under the microscope in the matchup against Williams. Felton had as many turnovers (four) as points in the loss to Utah and was involved in two key plays late in the game that helped the Jazz rally for the win. Felton averages 6.4 assists but is shooting just 39 percent from the field to go with a career-low 10.7 scoring average.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Portland is 31-5 in home games against New Jersey.
2. Nets forward Gerald Wallace is averaging 15.9 points in 10 games since being acquired from Portland.
3. Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews scored a season-best 33 points in the loss to Utah.