The Suns worry me because they can score, score, score, especially at home. You bring up a good point about LaMarcus…this is going to be a challenging week for him. None of these matchups can be considered favorable for him but he will have to keep playing well for the Blazers to have a shot.

Don’t forget about Nash in the pick and roll.

Clearly a key stretch, although not make-or-break on the season. One of the first things that comes to mind: When will Roy be back, and will they bring him back too soon again? I’m inclined to say that I’d like to see him sit right through the All Star Game. When the Blazers play like they did last night against Charlotte, they can beat any team, with or without Roy. It’s more important to have him fully healthy after the ASG, and we know how hamstring injuries can stick around.

I’m worried more about the game in Utah than the game in Phoenix, although Robin Lopez suddenly plays basketball and he’s going to cause problems for our “bigs.” Which leads me to this: How will LaMarcus Aldridge play during this stretch? Prior to the Dallas game, I liked what I saw. Then Miller shouldered the weight and bailed out LA, who was bad on both ends of the floor late in the Dallas game. The Charlotte game didn’t call for LA to be big, either, and he had a nice, pedestrian game. He’s going to have to be better than that. He’s going to have to muscle up inside and grab defensive rebounds. Milsap, Duncan, Bynum, Gasol, Amare. If LA can play with them, the Blazers can stay in those games. (And, of course, it’s about team defense, too.)

After that, it’s on Nate in my eyes. How long does he let, say, Williams, or Westbrook, work the pick and roll against Blake and Howard? What I mean is, I think (like I always do) that Nate needs to rely heavily on Bayless and Miller and give Blake a short leash. Like I haven’t said that a million times.