Portland’s Most Anticipated Games
By David MacKay
January 11, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30, right) look on during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
4) Golden State Warriors – November 23rd, Oracle Arena
This one arrives on the heels of the Chicago game as the 2nd half of a back-to-back; this time, on the road. Damian Lillard grew up in Oakland and has a strong fan base there. Last season, Lillard exploded for a (then) career high of 37 points, only to lose by 6. The Blazers will be back and hungrier than ever.
This game also means a positional clash between each team’s best players. Damian Lillard will battle Stephen Curry, LaMarcus Aldridge will battle David Lee, and Nicolas Batum will battle Andre Iguodala in one of the most evenly matched showdowns of 2013-2014. For all intents and purposes, it should be one of the highest intensity games on the Blazers’ schedule.