The last time the Portland Trail Blazers played the Brooklyn Nets, it was on January 14 at the Moda Center, and they were beaten 132-114.
Point guard Scoot Henderson’s career-high 39 points that evening helped him turn around his season, thus that was a plus.
Since then, Henderson has shot 47.7% from the field and 44.5% from three-point range on 5.5 attempts, averaging 15.1 points and 5.5 assists per game.
After losing to the Nets, the Blazers suffered two more losses before winning ten of their next eleven games. Even though they have since cooled down, they are leading the Western Conference standings by four games, trailing 10th-place Sacramento (30-28), going into Friday on a three-game winning streak.
After winning seven of nine games prior to dropping two straight heading into Friday, the Nets have also been playing well lately.
It’s interesting to note that two of the Nets’ previous four losses occurred against two of the NBA’s top teams, Cleveland (48-10) and Oklahoma City (47-11). The other two were against the weakest team in the league, Washington (10-49).
Despite having the NBA’s seventh-worst record, the Nets (21-37) are only one game behind Chicago (23-26) in 10th place in the East. In their last ten games, the Bulls have suffered eight losses.
The Nets are scary for a Blazers club that might be shorthanded because they have a lot to gain.
Robert Williams III and Deandre Ayton, both centers, are out. Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija are dubious forwards.
Prediction: In order to win this game, the Blazers will need Grant and Avdija. The Blazers might have problems if both sit.
BROOKLYN NETS’ PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
What: Friday, 4:30 p.m., Trail Blazers (26-33) vs. Nets (21-37).
Where: Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM) is the radio station.
TV channel: KATU (Portland, antenna: 2.2). Xfinity: 1170 and 302. 688-1 is DirecTV.KUNP (antenna: 47.1). 16, 302, 1170 Xfinity. Spectrum: 184; DirecTV: 47.
Rip City TV Network is the way to watch. An HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland) will allow you to watch this game live for free even if you don’t have cable. These antennas cost about $20 and are very simple to install. You may get one at your neighborhood Fred Meyer or Bi-Mart, or you can buy one online from Amazon or Walmart and have it delivered right to your house. Here are some guidelines for configuring an HDTV antenna on your TV or other display. Use the channel finder here to learn more about the channel that Rip City TV Network is available on in your area.
DraftKings/Oregon Lottery (ODDS)
Moneyline: BKN +105 | POR -125
Spread: Over/Under: 218.5 | POR -1.5
INJURIES
Blazers: Deni Avdija (left quad contusion) and Jerami Grant (right knee discomfort) are dubious.Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Robert Williams III (left knee strain), and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are all out.
Nets: Nic Claxton is available due to a nasal fracture.De Anthony Melton (left knee ACL tear), Angelo Russell (right ankle sprain), Noah Clowney (left ankle sprain), and Dariq Whitehead (right knee pain) are not available.
UPCOMING
On Sunday, the Blazers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (48-10) at 12:30 p.m.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
