Hawks vs Trail Blazers: Game Thread – Paul Millsap to Miss Fifth Straight Game?

Atlanta Hawks All-Star power forward Paul Millsap has missed the last four games  with a knee contusion and might be out a fifth straight game. (Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Game Preview

The Atlanta Hawks look to snap their seven-game road losing streak tonight in Portland against the Trail Blazers.

Atlanta has lost three straight and 11 of their last 12 overall.

Portland, on the other hand, is coming off a rare home loss on Monday, as they were beaten by the laughable Los Angeles Lakers 107-106.

This is the first meeting of the year between the Hawks and Blazers. They’ll only play against each other twice this season with the series finale on Thursday, March 27.

The Hawks are hoping to get back All-Star power forward Paul Millsap tonight, as he’s missed the last four games with a right knee contusion.

It would be huge if Milsap returns, as he is the only player in the NBA this season averaging at least 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks. He’s currently averaging 17.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

Quick Facts

Who?: Atlanta Hawks vs Portland Trail Blazers

What?: Second game of 5-game West Coast road trip (Game #59, Road Game #31)

Where?: Moda Center (Portland, OR)

When?: Wednesday, March 5, 2014 – 10:30 PM (ET)

How?: ESPN

Probable Starters

Atlanta Hawks:

PG: Jeff Teague | SG: Kyle Korver | SF: DeMarre Carroll | PF: [insert any healthy player] | C: Elton Brand

Portland Trail Blazers:

PG: Damian Lillard | SG: Wesley Matthews | SF: Nicolas Batum | PF: LaMarcus Aldridge | C: Robin Lopez

Injury Report

Atlanta Hawks: Pero Antic (stress fracture, right ankle) is day-to-day. Gustavo Ayon (right shoulder surgery), Al Horford (right pectoral muscle surgery) and John Jenkins (lower back surgery) are out. Paul Millsap (right knee contusion) is TBD.

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard (gastritis) is probable. Thomas Robinson (left patella tendon strain) and Joel Freeland (right knee sprain) are out.

Current Records, Streak & Hot, Lukewarm, or Cold

Records: Atlanta Hawks (26-32) / Portland Trail Blazers (41-19)

Streaks: Atlanta Hawks –> OVERALL: Lost 3 | HOME: Lost 1 | ROAD: Lost 7              Portland Trail Blazers –> OVERALL: Lost 1 | HOME: Lost 1 | ROAD: Won 1

Home/Away Records: Trail Blazers are (23-8) at home / Hawks are (9-21) on the road.

Atlanta Hawks: Ice Cold. The Hawks have lost seven straight road games, and 11 of their last 12 overall, free falling from 3rd place in the (L)east conference to 8th.

Portland Trail Blazers: Hot. The Blazers are coming off a loss Monday night to the Lakers but were previously on a five-game winning streak before that and have the sixth best home record in the NBA.

Series Notes/Past Series Notes

Atlanta visits Portland for the only time this year in the first-of-two games between the clubs. The Trail Blazers come to Philips Arena on 3/27 to finish the season series. The teams split two contests in 2012-13, each winning on the road. The Hawks struck first with a 95-87 triumph on 11/12 before the Blazers evened things with a 104-93 decision on 3/22. Atlanta has taken three-of-the-last-four games in Portland. The all-time series is deadlocked at 51 wins apiece, with the Blazers holding a 33-18 advantage in home games.

Common Threads

Terry Stotts was Atlanta’s Head Coach from 2003-04, recording a 52-85 mark, following a stint as a Hawks Assistant Coach. Wesley Matthews’ father Wes played 152 games in a Hawks uniform in different stints between 1980 and 1990. Matthews was teammates with Kyle Korver and Paul Millsap in Utah in 2009-10. Earl Watson teamed with both DeMarre Carroll (part of 2011-12-through-2013) and Paul Millsap (2010-13) in Utah. Mo Williams played with Carroll and Millsap with the Jazz in 2012-13. Shelvin Mack and Dorell Wright played together briefly with Philadelphia in 2012-13. Trail Blazers radio broadcaster Antonio Harvey played four games for Atlanta in 2002-03.

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Information was used from the Hawks and Blazers official gamenotes

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