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Portland Trail Blazers Pre-Game: Wizards in town as Lillard hopes to return

By Ryan Gaskin

Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard, Gary Payton II, 2022 NBA free agency (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard, Gary Payton II, 2022 NBA free agency (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers got back on track Monday night, and now sit 3.5 games back of the 8 seed? Can they close the gap tonight?

CJ McCollum and Gary Trent Jr combined for 65 points as the Portland Trail Blazers returned to winning ways Monday night, routing the Orlando Magic 130-107.

Tonight, Portland’s winnable schedule continues, as the Washington Wizards arrive off a back-to-back against the Sacramento KIngs. The Wizards are currently 22-38, and are in a playoff battle themselves, as they currently trail the 8 seed by 4.5 games.

Bradley Beal remains the main threat for the Wizards, and has averaged 39.3 points out of the All-Star break, a streak which included back-to-back 50 point games. Washington’s offense back’s Beal up nicely, currently ranking 5th in PPG for NBA teams, Portland’s defense will have their work cut out tonight.

However, their defense sits firmly on the other end of the spectrum, as the Wizards rank bottom in this team stat. The Blazers should be able to outscore Washington, given they’re on a back-to-back, and Damian Lillard looks likely to return.

Follow the Action

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Time: 7:00 p.m. PST
Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR
Watch: NBC Sports Northwest
Listen: Rip City Radio 620

Game Odds

Spread: Portland Trail Blazers (-7.5)
Total: 241
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (-330), Washington Wizards (+255)

Gambling odds and information courtesy of The Action Network. Displayed odds current as of Monday at 1:00 p.m. PT.

Portland Trail Blazers 2020 Draft prospect of the week: Isaac Okoro. dark. Next

Projected Starting Lineups and Injury Report

Portland Trail Blazers (27-35)

PG: Damian Lillard
SG: CJ McCollum
SF: Trevor Ariza
PF: Carmelo Anthony
C: Hassan Whiteside
Injury report:

Out – Jusuf Nurkic, Zach Collins, Rodney Hood

Probable- Damian Lillard

Washington Wizards (22-38)

PG: Shabazz Napier
SG: Bradley Beal
SF: Isaac Bonga
PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Thomas Bryant
Injury report:

Out – John Wall

Check back in at Rip City Project for more Blazers news, analysis and reports.