Living Up To Hype
Los Angeles,Ca – While Greg Oden has been encouraged by his recent run of success, the Portland Trail Blazers rookie center knows he needs to show some consistency in order to live up to his billing as a No. 1 overall draft pick.
The Los Angeles Clippers depleted front line should provide a favorable matchup for the 7-footer on Monday, when Oden and the Blazers visit Staples Center looking to avenge last month’s double-overtime home loss.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made the Blazers -9.5 point spread favorites for Tuesday’s game against the Clippers. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 61% of more than 178 bets for this game have been placed on the Blazers -9.5.
Oden’s career didn’t get off to an ideal start when he missed all of last season following knee surgery. The rookie was again sidelined for six games with a foot problem this fall, and he has often struggled with foul trouble as he adjusts to the NBA.
But the 21-year-old has shown signs of progress lately, averaging 17.3 points and 12.3 rebounds in his last three games. He had 18 points and 14 rebounds in Portland’s 100-87 win over Washington on Saturday night.
"I’ve got to keep it consistent, keep it going," Oden said. "The next game, try to do it again. And the next game, and the next game, and the next game.”
He’ll have few opportunities as good as Monday’s, when the Blazers (26-17) face a Clippers team that continues to play without power forward Zach Randolph and centers Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman – not to mention point guard Baron Davis.
Randolph, Camby and Davis combined for 77 points and 29 rebounds in Los Angeles’ 120-112 double-overtime win at Portland on Dec. 12, but the Clippers have had considerable trouble without them.
Los Angeles (10-33) has lost 15 of 17, including Sunday night’s 107-92 defeat at Golden State. Another big man put up a double-double against the short-handed Clippers, as Warriors center Andris Biedrins had 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Even in the Clippers’ 107-104 win over Oklahoma City on Friday, Thunder forward Kevin Durant had 46 points and 15 rebounds, after Lakers center Andrew Bynum (42 points, 15 rebounds) and Minnesota center Al Jefferson (20, 17) had huge efforts against the Clippers last week.
"I don’t even know when the last time we played them healthy," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "That’s a part of it. Their guys have played good games."
Despite the emergence of rookie Eric Gordon, who had a season-high 41 points Friday, the Clippers have also had problems offensively. They have averaged 90.3 points in their last 17 games, shooting an NBA-worst 42.0 percent from the field over that span.
Portland will try to keep up the defensive pressure after forcing the Wizards into 27 turnovers, 10 of which came on steals by Brandon Roy. Roy’s effort tied a franchise record, joining Clyde Drexler and Larry Steele.
"I’m not going to get too high on it, because it was a good game of defense, but now it’s taking it to L.A. and playing with that same intensity on the defensive end," said Roy, who also had 22 points and seven assists. "It’s not like we’re going to relax. … No, let’s play even better against the Clippers and keep continuing to improve."
At just 10-12 on the road this season, the Blazers would certainly like improvement outside of Oregon as they chase their first playoff berth since 2002-03. They’ve lost five of their last seven away from home, including an overtime loss at Charlotte and a 21-point loss to Philadelphia.
They had lost eight straight at the Clippers before winning a pair of defensive struggles last season. Portland won 82-80 on Feb. 27 at Staples Center before a similar 83-72 victory there less than a month later.
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Posted: 1/26/09 1:45AM ET