The 13th-place Portland Trail Blazers return home to play eight of their next nine games as they continue their desperate attempt to climb back into play-in contention.
They begin this stretch with Damian Lillard and Jerami Grant questionable for Tuesday’s home game against the New York Knicks. Lillard missed Sunday’s loss at New Orleans.
Without them, the Blazers would likely begin this important stretch on a low note. At this point, even with them, it’s tough to have too much confidence that the Blazers will reset their current trajectory. After all, they failed to do so the last time they attacked an abundance of home dates.
From Jan. 10 through Feb. 14, the Blazers played 15 of 19 games at home. They went 2-2 on the road and 7-8 at home. The Blazers were 19-21 when that portion of the schedule began and ended at 28-30 heading into the All-Star break.
It was a devastatingly wasted opportunity. Had the Blazers gone a reasonable 10-5 at home (they inexplicable lost five games to losing teams), they would have entered the break at 31-27. Right now, despite their troubles, they would be 34-34 and tied for seventh in the Western Conference.
That inability to take advantage of that run of home games should only damper hopes that they could take advantage of the upcoming run of games at the Moda Center. Especially considering the competition.
The Blazers face five winning teams, the Knicks (40-30), Boston (47-21), LA Clippers (36-33) and Sacramento (40-26) twice. The three opponents with losing records, Chicago (31-36), Oklahoma City (33-35) and New Orleans (33-35), are a combined 6-1 against the Blazers this season.
The lone road game is next week at Utah (33-35), which is 1-2 against the Blazers.
The Knicks will present a myriad of problems, some partially created by the Blazers when they traded Josh Hart to New York for Cam Reddish and a conditional first-round pick in 2023.
The Knicks won nine consecutive games after acquiring Hart but have lost three of their last four. They helped out the Blazers a bit on Sunday by winning at the Los Angeles Lakers (33-35).
The Knicks could be without Jalen Brunson, who is doubtful with foot soreness. His absence would certainly help the Blazers.
But likely only if Lillard and Grant play, and only if the Blazers figure out how to earn their first win against a winning opponent since Feb. 8. That line has been typed here numerous times and will continue to be until the reality changes.
And if it doesn’t change by Monday, it’s time to call it a season and shift everyone’s focus toward the draft.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS
What: Trail Blazers (31-37) vs. Knicks (40-30), 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: Moda Center.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: Root Sports (in Portland: Comcast 734; Comcast: 687).
Watch the game live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on DirecTV Stream’s “CHOICE” package (promotional offers), if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. If you already have a cable or satellite provider that carries Root Sports and want to watch online, you can watch this game live on Root Sports Live.
ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR -130 | NYK +110
Spread: POR -2 | Over/Under: NA
INJURIES
Blazers: Damian Lillard (right calf tightness) and Jerami Grant (left quad contusion) are questionable. Justise Winslow (left ankle sprain), Ibou Badji (left knee soreness) and John Butler Jr. (G League) are out.
Knicks: Jalen Brunson (sore left foot) is doubtful.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the Boston Celtics at 7 p.m. Friday.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts
