November 16th Game Thread: Portland (8-3) @ Atlanta (8-2)

TIP-OFF: 7pm (EST)

TELEVISION: Fox Sports South

CHAT: Daily Dime Live

RADIO: Hawks Radio Network, Audio League Pass

GAME NOTES: Hawks/Trailblazers

ATLANTA INJURY REPORT: None.

PORTLAND INJURY REPORT: Travis Outlaw, Nicolas Batum, Patty Mills, and Jeff Pendergraph are all out.

FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY: Atlanta -3.5, 187 o/u

OTHER PERSPECTIVES: Blazersedge, Beyond Bowie

PREVIOUSLY, THE PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS...have won six straight since their 97-91 loss at home to the Hawks on November 3rd. Portland's last four wins have all come on the road, albeit @Memphis, @Minnesota, @New Orleans, and @Charlotte.

The start of the winning streak coincided with Andre Miller's insertion into the starting lineup. If Travis Outlaw's absence isn't reason enough for optimism for Hawks fans, the likelihood of Nate McMillan playing Miller alongside Steve Blake should keep Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford from having to try and defend the stronger Miller in the post.

Less promisingly, from this perspective, Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla figure to occupy Hawks post players on the offensive and defensive glass while altering the shot or fouling any Atlanta player who attacks the basket. Perhaps just as significantly, every minute that either Oden or Przybilla plays alongside LaMarcus Aldridge is a minute that Josh Smith must primarily occupy himself with defending Aldridge rather than helping his teammates.

Oden's seven turnovers in 26 minutes on opening night got a lot of attention. In Portland's 10 subsequent games, Oden has turned the ball over 13 times in 230 minutes while scoring at least eight points in each of Portland's last seven games, never playing more than 29 minutes. Greg Oden, functional-to-useful offensive player, would make for a rather complete package.

Consider this an open thread for all pre-game, in-game, and post-game (but pre-recap) thoughts.