Preview: The Blazers are 4-6 since they fired coach Nate McMillan and made former video coordinator Kaleb Canales the NBA's youngest head coach at age 33 and the first Mexican-American head coach in league history. They lost 98-97 to the Clippers in Los Angeles on Friday night after Chris Paul scored on a layup with five seconds left. ... The Wolves have won both meetings between the teams this season -- 122-110 in Portland on March 3 and 106-94 at Target Center five days later -- after having lost 16 consecutive games to the Blazers before that.
Wolves-Portland game preview
April 1, 2012 at 6:07AM
Player to watch: Blazers forward J.J. Hickson, claimed on waivers on March 21 after Sacramento released him, delivered a 29-point, 13-rebound game Friday when starting forward LaMarcus Aldridge was out because of a sprained elbow. He averaged 4.7 points in 45 games with the Kings and is averaging 16 a game in five with the Blazers.
Injuries: Wolves G J.J. Barea (thigh contusion) and F Michael Beasley (sprained big toe) did not travel with the team on Saturday and will not play Sunday or Monday at Sacramento. C Nikola Pekovic (ankle bone spurs) did travel and probably will try to play one or more games on the trip. G Ricky Rubio (knee surgery) is out for the season. Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge (sprained elbow) missed Friday's game against the Clippers and is considered a game-time decision. G Elliot Williams (shoulder) and F Shawne Williams (left foot) will not play.
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The defending NBA champions held off the league's hottest team on Tuesday night, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss after 15 straight wins to open the season.
