Notes for tonite

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Points of Interest

01/22/03

The Blazers have split the series with the Hawks in each of the last two seasons, with each team winning at home. Last season, Atlanta's Shareef Abdur-Rahim was the leading scorer in the series, averaging 24.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in two games. Bonzi Wells led the Blazers, averaging 22.0 points and 11.0 rebounds. Overall, the Hawks have a 43-37 series lead and are 29-11 at home.

Players to watch

01/22/03

Arvydas Sabonis: Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks said he has considered starting Sabonis at center with Dale Davis starting at power forward in place of suspended Rasheed Wallace, but he hasn't tried that yet because he likes the spark Sabonis gives the Blazers off the bench. In Monday's 99-87 victory at Memphis, Sabonis had eight points, five rebounds and four assists in a season-high 31 minutes. "I was glad to see it, but I wouldn't want to play Sabas 31 minutes too often," Cheeks said. "With Rasheed out, he's getting into the games a little earlier than we would like. And then he's such an effective player, sometimes you don't want to take him out of the game." Sabonis' previous high was 27 minutes against Houston on Nov. 26. Cheeks said he plans to continue starting Zach Randolph at Wallace's spot.

Jason Terry: The Hawks' starting point guard averages 17.6 points and a team-high 7.1 assists and has led the team in scoring in five of the last 11 games. Terry scored a season high 33 points on 13 of 24 shooting from the field to lead the Hawks to an 84-75 victory over Houston on Jan. 10 -- one of two wins for Atlanta in its last 13 games.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim: In Monday's 115-102 loss to Chicago, Abdur-Rahim led the Hawks with 27 points, making eight of 15 shots from the field and 10 of 13 free throws. He has scored 20 or more points in four of the last seven games.