WHEN TO WATCH
Today: 76ers at Blazers
7 p.m. at the Rose Garden (CSN, cable Channel 37)
Key matchup: Nicolas Batum or Travis Outlaw vs. Andre Iguodala. The 76ers forward has been thriving since Tony DiLeo took over for fired coach Maurice Cheeks in December. Iguodala has seen his scoring average (18.1) and shooting percentage (47 percent) jump three points since the change was made, and those numbers were certainly padded by the 29 points and 10 of 17 shooting night he had in a 21-point rout of the Blazers in January.
For the Blazers to win ... the bench needs to produce. The reserves haven't been consistent recently, and they certainly let Portland down in January's loss to Philadelphia, when they combined to go 8 of 30 (27 percent) from the field. Philadelphia's offense has found a comfort zone under DiLeo, averaging 99.1 points and shooting 47 percent from the field in his first 44 games. The Blazers will need their bench to produce and help it keep pace.
Thursday: Suns at Blazers.......................................
