NBA Game 8: Hornets vs Blazers Preview

The loss to the Lakers was tough. The Lakers simply do not have a team right now and are trying to stitch together a bunch of parts. The Charlotte Hornets are also in a parts stitching phase, and also in an injury recovery phase that has hampered the team’s evolution. Where everyone fits is not quite clear. Noah Vonleh is not ready to go yet, and it seems neither is Gerald Henderson. This four game road trip could have come at a better time for Charlotte.

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Tonight the Hornets are on the road in Portland to take on the Trailblazers. Portland was one of the hot young teams in the West last year, and so they are not in the teambuilding phase that the Hornets are in. The Blazers should know how to play with each other by now. It’s Hornets vs Blazers.

Date: November 11
Time: 10:00 PM
TV: SportSouth
Venue: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter

Nov 6, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) shoots the ball over Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the third quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)

The Five:

C Robin Lopez
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
SF Nicolas Batum
SG Wesley Matthews
PG Damian Lillard

While the Portland five includes some athletic wing options in Matthews and Batum, it is really driven by Lillard and Aldridge. Aldridge is one of my favorite players in the league, a power forward who can play inside and have an outside game. Lillard is known for driving and dishing, but he can also shoot the three a little bit.

Nov 9, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov (25) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The Bench

Lopez is backed up by Chris Kaman, so there will always be a post defense presence in there for the Blazers. Veteran Steve Blake is the backup point guard, and he adds another valuable shooting touch as well. Dorell Wright and CJ McCollum are other offensive minded subs who will see time for the Blazers.

Thoughts

Looks like an Al Jefferson – Aldridge shootout to me. The Hornets could own this particular matchup if Lance Stephenson brings some scoring to the table. Otherwise the balance will be tipped by the matchup by Lillard and point guard Kemba Walker.