Hurtin' Blazers - Sports - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

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2015-04-19

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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Central Point considers new fees for parks, school police People in Business Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Ex-Daimler Portland engineer files $2 million discrimination suit Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Oregon committee hears bill preventing child access to guns Water shortage hits riverfront city Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Gloria Ruth Pelett Allsup Tobi Andrews (Sherri M. Wagler) Cynthia Rose Spies Robert Lynn Jolliffe Charles Henry Herman “Hank” Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories North’s Wolfe eclipses own school record at Relays Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Manziel issues apology to Browns, fans Phelps fails to qualify for 400 freestyle Ticket mystery surrounds mega fight Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Beavers ring in new era with spring game Comfort Zone SOU to host meet for first time in five years Oregon recruits leave their options open Pro Sports Manziel issues apology to Browns, fans Ticket mystery surrounds mega fight Merritt sets record, but Spieth surges Foreman turned life around as teen in GP James-led Cavs chase crown Community Sports Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories People in Business Blog: Spring Cleaning: Revisited Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Zombies join in the horror produced by local game companies Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Real Estate News Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Impeachment should be an option Editorials Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 17 Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Columns The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Guest Opinions The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework       ...       The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history       ...       Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm       ...       The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework       ...       The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history       ...       Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm       ...           NBA Hurtin' Blazers Portland limps into playoff series against the Grizzlies Comment By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 6:59 PM By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 6:59 PM »  Social News PORTLAND — The Trail Blazers limp into their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on a four-game losing streak, as injuries finally appeared to catch up with the Northwest Division champions. Now the question is whether those woes will extend into the postseason.  The Blazers will likely start the playoffs on Sunday in Memphis with guard Damian Lillard, center Robin Lopez and forward LaMarcus Aldridge, but those appear to be the only real certainties to start. Nicolas Batum, who joins Aldridge and Lopez up front, is nursing a right knee contusion that kept him out of the regular-season finale, a 114-98 loss to the Mavericks in Dallas on Wednesday night. CJ McCollum, who had been thrust into the starting lineup following Wesley Matthews' season-ending Achilles injury and Arron Afflalo's shoulder injury, also missed the Dallas game with a sprained left ankle. Aldridge came back for the finale after missing two games with a sore left foot and Portland ended the regular season 51-31. The Blazers wound up with the higher seed because of the division title, but the Grizzlies had a better record (55-27) for home-court advantage. "Anytime you go on a losing streak, people are going to have negative things to say. People are going to say, 'Oh, they're hurt. They don't have everybody. They're not 100 percent,'" said Lillard, one of the few on Portland's roster to escape injury. "We're professionals. Everybody is on this team for a reason. We're going to have to depend on guys to step up. We have complete faith in the guys on this team." The Grizzlies, headed to the playoffs for the fifth straight season, are struggling with injuries too. They've played four straight without starting point guard Mike Conley, who had a sprained right foot, while guard Tony Allen has missed nine straight with a left hamstring strain. After staying healthy for the majority of last season, the Blazers were first hit in December when Lopez broke a bone in his right hand and sat out 23 games. Portland was able to turn to backup Chris Kaman, an offseason acquisition, in the interim. About the time that Lopez returned, Aldridge tore a ligament in his left thumb. Portland's All-Star forward originally planned to have surgery that would keep him out of the lineup for up to eight weeks, but two days later decided he could manage the pain and play out the rest of the season. The biggest blow to the Blazers came in early March when Matthews' Achilles tendon ruptured during a home game against the Mavericks. Matthews was averaging 15.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, but the injury meant so much more to the Blazers than just points because of his passionate presence on the court and in the locker room. Portland had acquired Afflalo at the trade deadline from the Denver Nuggets and was able to push him into Matthews' role. Afflalo started 19 of 25 games following the trade, averaging 10.6 points, but then he was sidelined by a strained right shoulder. He probably won't be healed until the playoff series with the Grizzlies returns to Portland next week. Earlier this month, Blazers reserve forward Dorell Wright broke a bone in his left hand. He wasn't expected to be available in the first round. Batum and McCollum were both injured in the team's second-to-last game at Oklahoma City, a game Aldridge missed because of a sore left foot. Aldridge said he believes all of the injuries have toughened up the Blazers overall. "I thought we fought through a lot of adversity this year as far as injuries and guys going down," Aldridge said. "I thought guys stepped up so, I think, overall, it was good for us." It was a different story last season, when the team was mostly healthy and won 54 games, most since the 2008-09 season. Portland advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Anne M. Peterson The Associated Press Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 6:59 PM » Comment or view comments   Reader Reaction »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football 2015 Fantasy Outlook for Chargers' Stars  Apr. 17, 2015 at 6:15 am Fantasy Outlook for Dolphins Stars  Apr. 14, 2015 at 6:37 am Biggest Fantasy Winners, Losers in Free Agency  Apr. 8, 2015 at 2:45 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Bears Stars  Apr. 7, 2015 at 1:09 am RBs Ready to Break Out on New Teams  Apr. 2, 2015 at 10:21 am Who Will Be QB1s with New Teams in 2015?  Mar. 31, 2015 at 3:42 pm calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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