Tonight the Trail Blazers look for a repeat performance of Saturday night's complete performance against the Nets in New Jersey. The Blazers scored the first 13 points of the game, led New Jersey 25-8 after the first, and won going away, 86-68. It was a wire-to-wire win for the Blazers, who only briefly had their lead cut to 10 in the game, and controlled the Nets from the opening tip.

Normally, following a win like Saturday's, you'd rather wait a while before facing that team again. The sting of an embarassing loss sometimes fades over time, but it's very much fresh in hte minds of the Nets as they visit the Garden tonight. Add to that the fact that the Nets lost the opening game of their trip in Seattle on Monday, and they'll be a wounded, and hungry team Wednesday night.

Richard Jefferson didn't play on Saturday night, but returned to New Jersey's lineup on Monday in Seattle. He had 9 points in his 27 minutes, and helped the Nets to a five-point lead through three quarters. The Sonics then blitzed the Nets 33-17 in the fourth quarter, and cruised to the 99-87 win.

The Blazers are coming off a loss as well Monday, to the Spurs, 107-98. It was the third, and not the fourth quarter, that did the Blazers in. They were outscored by San Antonio 30 to 18 in that third quarter, and lost the 10-point lead that they held midway though the third.

Nate McMillan had his team watch the third quarter of the San Antonio game before practice on Tuesday. They watched just parts of the other three quarters, but concentrated mostly on the third.

Coach McMillan was a guest on our Trail Blazers Courtside, presented by L.A. Weight Loss, radio show, on Tuesday night. He talked about how well the team had played in the first half, and gave his opinion why they couldn't close the deal in the second half.

To hear the entire interview with McMillan, click here.

We were also joined on the show by Zach Randolph and Stephen Graham. To hear the interview with Zach, click here. To listen to Graham's segment, click here. Following the interview with Stephen, Blazers assistant coach Bill Bayno stepped in, and you'll also hear that.

Radio analyst Antonio Harvey, also had another of his "Off the Court" segments, and his guest was Dan Dickau. To hear that feature, click here.

The Blazers spent Tuesday afternoon and evening feeding some less fortunate folks at the 11th Annual Trail Blazers Harvest Dinner, at the Rose Garden. We held the radio show live from the event. Over 7,000 meals were served, as this event seems to get bigger every year. The event started in 1996, and was initiated by then-Blazers coach P.J. Carlisimo. Other teams around the league have since adopted events that are very similar. Portland Arena Management and Project Homeless Connect also played big roles in this year's event. Not only were turkey dinners served, but haircuts, medical services, pet care, educational, legal and housing resources, and job counseling, were also available. Congrats to everyone on another great event this year.

Wednesday night's game against the Nets can be seen live on FSN, beginning at 7 o'clock. It'll also be on the Blazers Radio Network, beginning with Game Day, at 6 o'clock.

 

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