Details: Who: (24-25) vs (23-25) Where: The Rose Garden When: Sunday, Feb 8th, 12pm TV: KONG, ESPN Projected Lineups: PG: Antonio Daniels/Luke Ridnour SG: Ronald Murray/Richie Frahm SF: Rashard Lewis/Vladimir Radmanovic PF: Calvin BoothVladimir Radmanovic/Reggie Evans C: Vitaly PotapenkoJerome James/Calvin Booth Coached by Nate McMillan PG: Damon Stoudamire/Omar Cook/Eddie Gill SG: Derek Anderson/Wesley Person SF: Darius Miles/Ruben Patterson/Qyntel Woods PF: Rasheed Wallace/Zach Randolph/Dale Davis C: Zach Randolph/Dale Davis/Vladimir Stepania Coached by Maurice Cheeks Injury List: Nick Collison: shoulder, season. Brent Barry: broken finger, on IL. Ray Allen: sprained left shoulder, doubtful. Injury List Travis Outlaw: bilateral patella tendinitis, on IL. Analysis: Both teams come into this game with slim hopes of making the playoffs, with Portland a chance to leapfrog Seattle with a home win here. The Sonics currently hold a 2-0 season series lead on the Blazers, but come into this game missing their starting backcourt of Brent Barry and Ray Allen, both due to injury. Ron Murray gets another chance to start after his blistering start to the season in Ray Allen's place, while Zach Randolph will be keen to prove coaches wrong after not being included in this season's All Star game. A vital game for both sides, with Portland looking to cintue their miny revival and Seattle looking to wrap up what could be an all-important season series. Ray to the rescue Last time these two teams met, at Key Arena on January 5th, a Portland win looked on the cards when they held a lead of over 20 in the third quarter. Enter Ray Allen, who scored 20 in the final period to send the game into overtime, and a further seven in the extra period to give the Sonics an unlikely 119-108 victory. Allen's 42 points were a season high, and were five short of his career high. Thankfully for Portland, Allen will likely miss this game with a sprained shoulder sustained in Phoenix on Friday. [quoteright]"I'll get him (Jake) for it. I'm not disturbed by his screen as much as my teammates behind me not telling me. I was totally blindsided." - Ray Allen on the screen that left him with an injured shoulder, against Phoenix.[/QUOTERIGHT] Key Factors: - Help on Randolph. Potapenko is a decent post defender, but if Randolph gets position down low he is near impossible to stop. Stopping the entry pass is the best method, but this isn't always going to work, so giving Potapenko help on the low post is a must. - Run the floor. Seattle are smaller than the Trailblazers, but their transition game will be the most effective way of winning. Especially when Ridnour is on the floor, guys like Murray , Lewis and Daniels will need to run the floor hard and capitilise on any fast break opportunities. - Bench production. The Sonics' bench outscored Phoenix's by almost 40 points, and without Allen and Brent Barry, coach McMillan will have to use his full rotation again. Guys like Ridnour, Radmanovic and Jerome James provided a real spark against the Suns, and their contributions will be vital once more. Key Matchup: Vitaly Potapenko vs Zach Randolph Randolph, considered by many to be one of the biggest All-Star snubs, has established himself as one of the premier offensive big men in the game, and presents a problem for Seattle's weak inside game. Last time around, Randolph killed the Sonics inside in the first half, before fading out of the game as Ray Allen took over. On paper, the physical style of Vitaly Potapenko, who has been superb for Seattle in recent games, seems a perfect match-up. Randolph has the young legs and crafty touch, but Potapenko is a smart veteran who knows how to hold position. At the other end, Randolph will have to make sure Potapenko doesn't get open from around 12 feet, because those jumpers are becoming automatic with more time on the floor. X-Factors: Ron Murray - he averaged 23 points starting the first month of the season in place of Ray Allen, and Murray gets the chance to start again with Allen's shoulder injury. Can he recapture that magical early season form? Darius Miles - a journeyman already at such a young age, Miles has yet to find his niche in the league. He was very good against the Sonics while playing for Cleveland earlier in the season, and despite his deficiencies is still capable of putting up nice numbers. <font size="1">Player photos and logo images courtesy of NBA.com </font>
The Blazers are solid at home and that will prove the difference in a hard fought game. Blazers by 6.
As long as the Sonics can stay on top, they can win. There's no Ray Allen to bail them out of a 20 point hole, this time. Rashard and Murray need to both drop 20 and Daniels needs to do what he usually does, as well. Pot will rough up whoever they have playing center tonight (Randolph or Wallace), so that'll make for a good matchup. Let's see Zach earn his stars and play some defense, eh? Anyway... Sonics by 6.
Great preview Sir Des, I just hope Woods, Cook and Davis provide some good playing time if the Blazers are to pull in a victory. Their additional play would surely do some serious damage. As far as the Sonics go, I think we need Rashard to be playing at his best along with Allen. Hopefully Miles will be playing as his best and proving his worth and athleticism. If he lets up and plays lazily it could spell curtains for the Blazers. If that happens, maybe Randolph and Sheed can handle both ends. Although them alone can't contain the entire Sonics, Ray might make short work of them on the offensive end. They seem to have the better Sixth Man too, namely Flip. Like you said maybe he'll be a big factor if he's playing at his best. Good luck to both teams, looks like it has to be an all out effort from both teams in order to score a win. I love both teams and wouldn't mind either winning by I say Sonics by 7.
Look at me, having to come and straightin' you guys out again! (Idol Woody Paige for you guys living under a rock) The Blazers have been playing better of late and Seattle without Ray Allen just does not have the athletes to stick with the Blazers. Blazers win this one by 10, book it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Look at me, having to come and straightin' you guys out again! (Idol Woody Paige for you guys living under a rock) The Blazers have been playing better of late and Seattle without Ray Allen just does not have the athletes to stick with the Blazers. Blazers win this one by 10, book it.</div> Well, looks like the law has been layed down. No point the Sonics even turning up, they might as well skip it and get some rest back in Seattle.
He's out now I think because he hurt himself making a bueiful play. The Blazers are doing good with those steals. Maybe the Sonics can stip them. Sonics by 2.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Crossover:</div><div class="quote_post">He sure is, and doing a good job, too.</div> It may not be enough in this one, however he's pulling his usual fourth quarter antics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">It may not be enough in this one, however he's pulling his usual fourth quarter antics.</div> Blazers own the Sonics. I absolutely love the energy that Miles brings to our team. Shard was a non-factor which is rare. Mouse was torching his former teammate AD in the beginning. A big win, as we move ahead of the Sonics.
Seattle 85 Portland 95 In a typical Seattle performance, the Sonics pulled within striking distance with just minutes to go, but collapsed at the death to give Portland a win which was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests, 95-85. Ray Allen's freethrows with around four minutes to go got Seattle within two after being down 14 after three, only to watch Portland's Damon Stoudamire go back down the court and drain a clutch trey. This seemed to be the straw that broke the donkey' back as from there on it, it was all Portland as their opposition looked tired and out of sorts. For Seattle, it was Ray Allen who passed a late fitness test to play, and he scored nine of his team-high 22 in the final period. Antonio Daniels added 15 and six assists against his old team, while Rashard Lewis had 11 and Vladimir Radmanovic 12. Vitaly Potapenko added a season-high 10 rebounds. For Portland, as expected it was Zach Randolph doing most of the damage, posting a double double with 25 and 16, while Damond Stoudamire added 19 and Rasheed Wallace 14. The loss drops Seattle below Portland now and spiralling out of playoff contention (damn Western conference). The game was tightly balanced through two and a half quarters before a late third quarter Blazer run put Portland up 14 after three. Seattle got back to within a basket, but couldn't quite get over the edge in this one. <font size="1">Box Score courtesy of NBA.com</font> Next Game: vs Warriors, Tuesday <font size="1"><font color="Red">Fixed your headline - KJ</font></font>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">Blazers own the Sonics.</div> Not this season they don't. Still 2-1 to Seattle on the season series with a game to come at the Key.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Sir Desmond:</div><div class="quote_post">Not this season they don't. Still 2-1 to Seattle on the season series with a game to come at the Key.</div> I'm pretty sure that we have swept you for the past two years, I know we did last year. Remember DA's late game trey last year? Either way, you know I am a Sonics fan as well, and hope that both can somehow make the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trail_Blazer76:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm pretty sure that we have swept you for the past two years, I know we did last year. Remember DA's late game trey last year? Either way, you know I am a Sonics fan as well, and hope that both can somehow make the playoffs.</div> New season, new team, still in denial Doubt Seattle will be playing playoff basketball this season though, I really wish we could slot Nick in at power forward...
I never said anything. Of course, neither team will make the playoffs unless they can better the Grizzlies.
Great game.. I don't know how they blew that lead at the end, but they got it back after Damon's three, which really got them going.. Darius Miles is really proving he likes it here.. If he keeps it up, I think we might have to resign him.. I think Darius has found the team that he can break out with.. Great play by Damon in the first quarter too.. He was solid.. And props to him for coming back on that injury.. Awesome play by Zach as always.. Its like we have to say it every game this season.. Which I like..
