One day after Friday the 13th, the Trail Blazers are ready to do battle with their Northwest rival- the Seattle SuperSonics, but nobody in the Rose Garden is feeling superstitious.

The biggest reason is that Portland's got a lucky #7 on their side. Sources around the league have all but crowned rookie shooting guard Brandon Roy as this year's R.O.Y., a move which is hardly even a surprise to Trail Blazers fans.

Roy has averaged 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4 assists on the season.

Tonight, however, the Trail Blazers are expected to take on the SuperSonics sans their starting small forward (Ime Udoka is out with a knee injury), their starting power forward (Randolph is out with a hand injury), their starting center (Pryzbilla) and their second best rookie (Aldridge).

Roy is also banged up. The rookie has been battling a swollen knee for the past couple games and team doctors are uncertain how much strain his legs can handle. It is a game-time decision on whether or not Roy will see action.

Don't expect the Trail Blazers to lay down for their neighborhood rival. The young gunners are more than willing to step up and knock down some shots for Coach Nate McMillan. Jamaal Magloire, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Raef LaFrentz and Sergio "Spanish Chocolate" Rodriguez should expect to see immediate and massive amounts of minutes against the Sonics.

First and foremost, the Trail Blazers need to contain the Sonics most explosive weapon, small forward Rashard Lewis. Without Allen, the Sonics run a majority of their offense through their prep-to-pro star.

Twice, Lewis has exploded for 27 points or more against the Trail Blazers.

It's a battle for I-5 supremacy and with a win tonight the Trail Blazers can even the series and take some momentum into next year's match-up.

It's all going down in front of a capacity crowd here at the Rose Garden and we can hardly wait for tip-off!

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