Brandon Roy & Marcus Camby are not altogether prepared to come back. Leaving the Trail Blazers needing once again their defensive leader & their 3 time All Star G. They both have had arthroscopic knee surgery.
With LaMarcus Aldridge apparently taking his All Star insult quite personally, the Blazers are in no hurry. Returning from a best for his career during his previous effort, Aldridge is trying to remain sizzling hot as the visiting Trail Blazers attempt to deliver the Raptors a 16th defeat in 2 matchups Friday evening.
Roy & Camby came back to workouts Wednesday following each of them undergoing surgery the previous month, a motivating indication for the Blazers ( 28 - 24 ) as they fight for post-season situation within the West. Both of them may be on the floor Friday, Roy had initially thought he be back for this game and in uniform, however both might play prior to the All Star break. Coach Nate McMillan wants to be careful with the 2 players, especially Roy, who has been plagued by knee injuries the previous 2 years.
McMillan is definitely feeling excellent about the method Aldridge has performed since Roy had been sidelined. He's put in 25.0 points & 10.2 rebounds in directing the Blazers to a 16 - 10 record, & he's produced 2 defining performances this month.
Aldridge put in a then personal best forty points during a 99 - 86 victory against Spurs on February 1st, possibly making a last surge to be elected to the West All Star team. He was not chosen when the reserves had been released 3 days later, & seemed to take a personal insult to being left out Monday versus the Bulls. Aldridge put in 28 of his 42 points following half-time during a 109 - 103 win.
No Blazers F has had 2 forty point contests since Zach Randolph in 2006 - 2007, when he put in 23.6 points however was additionally left off the West roster. Aldridge got twenty-two points & ten rebounds during a 97 - 84 home court victory against the Raptors ( 14 - 39 ) on November 6th, while Roy directed the effort having 26.
That had been part of a 1 - 7 beginning for the Raptors, who appear like a mediocre slump in comparison to their present skid. The Raptors had been leading the League leading Spurs by 3 going into the 4th quarter Wednesday however dropped 111 - 100, their fifteenth defeat in sixteen matchups.
The Raptors permit an NBA high 48.0 Points per game in the painted-area & the Spurs embarrased them for 70, which is good news for Aldridge & the Blazers. When they score 42 or more inside, they are 18 - 7.
Making things even worse for the Raptors, front-court player Amir Johnson may be a little hurt following spraining his ankle early in Wednesday's matchup. He came back, though, & is putting in 15.6 points & 10.7 boards during his previous 7 matchups.
Andrea Bargnani has risen from his current dry spell to average 27.3 points during his previous 3 matchups, however he may not be too pleased to see the Blazers. His 9.0 average versus the Blazers is his worst against any competitor.