Looking to Bounce Back
Portland, OR – A subpar effort on offense led to the Portland Trail Blazers’ first loss at home in 13 games. They’ll look to bounce back against a New Jersey Nets team that hasn’t been too impressive defensively of late.
Following one of their worst shooting games at the Rose Garden this season, the Trail Blazers host a struggling Nets team Friday night.
Oddsmakers from Online Sportsbook Sportsbetting have made the Trail Blazers –7.5 point spread favorites for Friday’s game against the New Jersey. Current NBA Public Betting Information shows that 77% of more than 215 bets for this game have been placed on the Portland –7.5.
Portland (40-24) had its 12-game home win streak end Wednesday night, shooting 41.0 percent in a 93-89 loss to Dallas. It was the fourth-worst scoring game of the season for the Blazers at the Rose Garden, where they are averaging 102.2 points.
Portland, which has lost only six games at home, should have a good opportunity to get back on track versus New Jersey (28-36).
The Nets have lost five of six on the road, allowing 107.3 points per game during that stretch. They’ve given up 109.3 points a contest in dropping three of their last four overall.
Brandon Roy had 29 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 20 as Portland beat New Jersey 105-99 on Jan. 15, the teams’ first meeting this season. The Blazers won despite the absence of starting point guard Steve Blake, who sat out with a separated right shoulder.
Blake had 13 points against the Mavericks after averaging 8.3 in his previous four games.
Aldridge led Portland with 23 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday. He’s posted three straight double-doubles for the first time this season.
The big man’s effort against Dallas wasn’t enough to help Portland overcome the loss of key reserve Rudy Fernandez, who’s recovering from a hip pointer and bruised chest as a result of a flagrant foul by the Los Angeles Lakers’ Trevor Ariza in a Blazers win Monday night.
Fernandez, carried from the Rose Garden floor on a stretcher, is unsure when he might practice or play.
"For me, it was scary," said the rookie guard, averaging 10.4 points. "Every day, I feel better."
With Fernandez out, the Blazers didn’t get any points from their reserve guards. Now they’ll have to contend with the top scoring backcourt in the league.
Devin Harris is averaging 22.7 points for the Nets while fellow guard Vince Carter averages 20.6. They also combine for 11.7 assists and 8.2 rebounds a contest.
Harris had 31 points and 12 assists against Golden State on Wednesday night, but Carter managed 14 on 5-for-18 shooting as New Jersey lost 116-112 and missed a chance to move into playoff position. The Nets trail eighth-place Milwaukee by one-half game.
"I would hope we’re a little more resilient," coach Lawrence Frank said. "I think what you do is look at the game and you don’t look at predicting the future."
The Nets could certainly use a bounce-back game from Carter. The veteran, though, is averaging 12.0 points while shooting 38.7 percent in his last three games against the Blazers.
Carter had 13 points on 4-for-14 shooting in this season’s first matchup between the teams. Harris led New Jersey with 23 points and eight assists.
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Posted: 3/13/09 1:30AM ET