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When the Trail Blazers

J.J. Hickson off of the waiver wire two weeks ago, they thought they were taking a flier on an athletic big man who might finally serve as the long desired backup to All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.

But an unexpected thing has developed during Hickson’s brief time with the Blazers: He and Aldridge are evolving into a force when they play side by side.

“He’s so active,” Aldridge said. “I’ve always wanted to play with somebody that was like a Lou Amundson or a Reggie Evans; somebody that’s active, that’s always keeping guys on their toes. And I think he’s been big late in games, when teams have been keying on me. He’s been getting easy buckets and he’s been coming through for us.”

Interim coach Kaleb Canales regularly has featured the two athletic forwards in the fourth quarter and during crucial possessions down the stretch of close games, and the results have been positive. Defenses have long game-planned to slow Aldridge, throwing a variety of double teams and schemes his way. But opposing coaches are having to think twice about focusing too much on Aldridge now that Hickson is in the picture.

If defenses double team Aldridge, the court opens up for Hickson to use his athleticism and scoring mentality to penetrate the lane through single coverage. Then, when teams counter by scheming to stop Hickson, who is averaging 14.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight games with the Blazers, the court opens up for Aldridge to use his vast array of offensive skills.

“We’re comfortable with them on the floor together because they are playing really well off of each other,” Canales said. “We’re excited about that combination going forward.”

Hickson had his breakout 29-point, 13-rebound game with the Blazers when he started in place of an injured Aldridge against the Los Angeles Clippers. But he’s made an equally important contribution when playing alongside the Blazers’ marquee player.

Canales has played the two together at various times in recent games, but he seems especially comfortable doing so in the fourth quarter. During Wednesday night’s 101-88 victory over the New Jersey Nets, Hickson played six minutes in the fourth, making all three of his field goals and scoring six points. During a 99-93 win over the New Orleans Hornets on March 29, Hickson finished with the same fourth-quarter line.

The Blazers won both games with clutch fourth-quarter play.

“It’s always a confidence builder for myself, to know that Coach wants me in the game in crunch time at the end of games,” Hickson said Wednesday night of his expanding fourth-quarter role. “Every practice we have, every game we have, I’m getting more comfortable and comfortable. Tonight, I definitely got a little more comfortable with what we were doing on the offensive end, as well as defensive end. And like I said, I’m just playing off (Aldridge).”

Przybilla day-to-day

Joel Przybilla traveled with the Blazers to Dallas Thursday afternoon, but he’s considered day-to-day because of sprained left ankle. Canales said Przybilla would be a game-time decision tomorrow, when the Blazers visit the Mavericks.

Canales refused to say who he would start if Przybilla can’t play. But odds are he turns to Hickson, who started in place of Przybilla against the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday, when Przybilla sat with a sore right knee.

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