Trail Blazers at Wizards
The Portland Trail Blazers opened a five-game road trip in style and look to make it two straight victories when they visit the Washington Wizards on Monday. Portland notched a 113-97 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday and has won eight of its last nine games to move within one game of the second-place Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference. “You want to peak toward the end of the season,” star forward LaMarcus Aldridge told reporters, “and right now we’re peaking at the right time.”
Washington has won three consecutive games and is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference – and just one game out of third. The Wizards are coming off a 113-97 victory over the Sacramento Kings in which they trailed by 18 points at halftime and then outscored Sacramento 67-33 in the second half. This game is crucial for Washington as a four-game road swing through the West looms.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, CSN Northwest (Portland), CSN Mid-Atlantic (Washington)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (44-20): Small forward Nicolas Batum had 10 points and 12 assists against Toronto for his second double-double in five games, the other being of the points/rebounds variety. Batum’s play was mediocre early in the season but he has played better over the past month as Portland’s fortunes improved. “He probably benefited from the All-Star break more than anybody,” Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. “It allowed him to kind of rest his mind and rest his body and he’s been the Nic Batum that we’re all used to.”
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (38-28): Point guard John Wall had a huge game against Sacramento by tying his season high of 31 points while recording 12 assists. The double-double was Wall’s 34th of the season and he has played well of late after going through a period of struggles that also were part of the reason why Washington slumped. “I think it all started with me,” Wall told reporters. “I didn’t have no legs or the energy after the All-Star break, and the way I play is the way this team goes. I’m kind of the leader of it.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Portland has lost four of its last five visits to Washington.
2. Trail Blazers PF LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points and 10 rebounds against Toronto for his sixth double-double in nine games.
3. Wizards F Nene (personal reasons) is expected to miss his third straight game.