Programming note: Warriors-Blazers tip off at 7:30 p.m., and Warriors Postgame Live follows after the final buzzer, only on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area!
The Warriors are coming off their most lopsided loss of theseason, a 123-84 defeat against the Denver Nuggets on Monday. If theres onething the Warriors have shown since trading Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh to theBucks, its that they have been able to follow up questionable performanceswith better ones.In other words, expect the Warriors to play better at theRose Garden on Wednesday night against the Blazers than they did Monday againstthe Nuggets.Here are some things to watch for during the game betweenthe Warriors and Blazers:Aldridges status: Portland power forwardLaMarcus Aldridge went to Vail, Colo., on Tuesday to meet with a specialistabout his hip. Aldridge is being called questionable for the game against theWarriors, but it seems like a longshot that hell play.There is talk in Portland that Aldridge could be shut downfor the rest of the season. If Aldridge doesnt play, it means that theWarriors David Lee has a significant advantage at that position.Thompson vs. Batum: Blazers shootingguard Nicolas Batum is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in theleague. But he is questionable with a left quadriceps injury. If Batum plays, it means that Warriors rookie Klay Thompsonwill be going up against a defender with quickness and length. If Batum doesntplay, it means that Jamal Crawford will likely defend Thompson for much of thegame. And Crawford is not the defender Batum is.Biedrins baby-steps: Its not likecenter Andris Biedrins has been dominant since returning from a groin injury.But hes been more effective lately than he has been for much of theyear. Biedrins has been playing about 15-20 minutes in recentgames, and when hes played hes chipped in with some rebounding and defense.This season, Biedrins lost his starting spot and then lost his backupspot.But if he can give them any consistency in terms ofrebounding and defense, hes worth playing limited minutes.