Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews, left, drives the baseline against Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Matthews led the Trail Blazers in scoring with 24 points as they beat the Celtics 92-86.(AP Photo/Don Ryan) (The Associated Press)
PORTLAND, Ore. – Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews sees only one option left after trying all the treatments he can on his sore left leg: prayer.
Matthews hurt his leg and ankle, along with his left elbow, just before the All-Star break. But he's playing — and praying — through the pain, hoping to help push Portland into the playoffs.
The Trail Blazers (26-30) are four games back of Houston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. The Lakers are 2½ games out of eighth.
The Blazers need their affable shooting guard down the final stretch. He is averaging 15 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 35 minutes each game.