Finally whole in backcourt, Blazers hit road to face Wolves

The Portland Trail Blazers have begun the new year with a jolt, thanks largely to the much-anticipated arrival of Gary Payton II.

Following Payton's successful season debut, the Blazers open a three-game road trip against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in Minneapolis.

After signing asa free agent last June, Payton missed the season's first 35 games while recovering from surgery for a core muscle injury. The sho