#PORvsBOS Preview
PORTLAND - The Portland Trail Blazers are struggling defensively during their worst stretch of the season, and LaMarcus Aldridge's absence isn't helping matters.
Luckily for them, the Boston Celtics' offense doesn't appear too threatening ahead of Thursday night's meeting in Portland.
The Trail Blazers (31-12) have dropped four of five while giving up 100-plus in each defeat after letting opponents reach the century mark four times in the previous 20 games. They've also let their last five opponents shoot 37.7 percent from 3-point range after previously limiting teams to 28.7 percent.
Aldridge, the team's leader with 23.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, didn't play in Wednesday's 118-113 loss at Phoenix due to a left thumb injury suffered in Monday's 98-94 win over Sacramento. X-rays were negative, though coach Terry Stotts did not say when he expects Aldridge to return.
"I'm not commenting on anything other than he has an MRI (Thursday)," Stotts said.
Portland's frontcourt is already short-handed with Robin Lopez sidelined the last 18 games with a broken hand and Joel Freeland missing nine straight due to a strained shoulder.
INJURY REPORT
Portland: LaMarcus Aldridge (left hand) is out. Robin Lopez (right hand) is out. Joel Freeland (right shoulder) is out.
Boston: James Young (sick) is out.
Projected Starters
SF
PF
C
SG
PG
Season Series
Previous Games
Series Notes
- All-time series record: Celtics lead, 62-43
- Longest Win Streaks: Trail Blazers (6), Celtics (17)
- In Portland: Celtics lead, 27-25
Promotions
In Portland's Last Game
“I’m proud of the way we competed,” said Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts. “I thought our effort in the second half, actually for the last three quarters, was very good. Giving up 40 in the first quarter certainly hurt, but I liked the way we competed and we put ourselves in a position to win the game. I thought we had opportunities to win the game or put the game away a little bit sooner, but just weren’t able to make some of the plays at the end.”
The Trail Blazers are now 31-12 on the season and 12-8 on the road and have lost four of their last five games.