The Sonics play their second back-to-back of the preseason tonight at the Rose Garden against the Portland Trail Blazers. Robert Swift and Delonte West are expected to play key roles in the rotation tonight after sitting out last night's game, Swift to wait for the second game of the back-to-back and West because of a right quad contusion.
After last night's game, P.J. Carlesimo talked about taking steps forward against the Warriors and needing to build off of those positives in tonight's game and Friday's preseason finale in Vancouver, B.C. against the Suns. In particular, he'd like to see the team take better care of the basketball after committing 25 turnovers - 18 in the second half and overtime.
The Blazers played without LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy in a loss Sunday in Sacramento. Both are expected to be in the lineup tonight. Blazers TV play-by-play broadcaster Mike Barrett has more on Aldridge's status in his fine blog.
Jason Quick writes in The Oregonian that Nate McMillan has yet to decide on starters at point guard and small forward, but Martell Webster is a leading candidate for the latter position. The Seattle Prep product is having an excellent preseason, averaging 17.8 points and shooting 56.4% from the field and 50.0% from downtown. We'll see if that translates into a breakout campaign for Webster, entering his third NBA season.
Contact Kevin
Sonics Beat RSS