Trail Blazers at Spurs
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs can clinch the top seed for the
Western Conference playoffs by beating the struggling Portland Trail
Blazers on Monday. San Antonio has a 1 1/2-game lead over the Oklahoma
City Thunder after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday for its
seventh consecutive victory. The Spurs are also only a half-game behind
the Chicago Bulls for best overall record in the NBA. Portland has lost a
season-worst five consecutive contests.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, CS Northwest (Portland), FS Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (28-36): Portland last lost six straight
games early last season. The Trail Blazers are shorthanded with All-Star
forward LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) among the players sidelined. Forward
J.J. Hickson is taking advantage of the chance to play and had 23 points
and 13 rebounds in Saturday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Trail
Blazers claimed Hickson on waivers about a month ago and he is averaging
14.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 17 games with the club. Hickson has
five double-doubles in seven games. “J.J. has been terrific for us,”
Portland coach Kaleb Canales said. “We are excited to have him.”
ABOUT THE SPURS (47-16):
San Antonio has won by double digits in every game of its winning
streak. The Spurs had won by 20 or more in four consecutive outings
prior to Sunday’s 16-point victory over Cleveland. San Antonio continues
to make resting players a priority as veteran power forward Tim Duncan
sat out against the Cavaliers. Guard Manu Ginobili scored 20 points and
has regained his pre-injury form and has made 58.8 percent of his
field-goal attempts over the last four games. “For sure, I’m feeling
better than a month ago,” Ginobili said. “That’s promising and that
makes me feel good and in a better mood.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams have split two meetings and
Portland routed San Antonio 137-97 on Feb. 21 to hand the Spurs their
worst loss of the season.
2. The Trail Blazers have lost 13 of their last 16 road games.
3. Forward Stephen Jackson had 17 points against Cleveland for his highest output in 19 games since being acquired by the Spurs.