Game Thread 2022-23 Game #29 - BLAZERS @ MAVERICKS - DECEMBER 16, 2022 - FRIDAY - 5:30 PM (PDT) ROOT

[Chris Craig]

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STARTERS


Damian Lillard Anfernee Simons

Josh Hart Jerami Grant

Jusuf Nurkic




Luka Doncic Spencer Dinwiddie

Tim Hardaway Jr Dorian F-Smith

Dwight Powell


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WHEN: DECEMBER 16, 2022 - FRIDAY - 5:30 PM (PDT)

WHERE: AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS TX



TV BROADCAST



RADIO BROADCAST



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BENCH



Gary Payton II Justice Winslow

Nassir Little Drew Eubanks

Shaedon Sharpe Trendon Watford

Keon Johnson Greg Brown III

John Butler Jr Ibou Badji



Reggie Bullock Christian Wood

Maxi Kleber Josh Green

Davis Bertans JaVale McGee

Frank Ntilikina Kemba Walker

Jaden Hardy Theo Pinson

Tyler Dorsey McKinley Wright IV


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COACHES


Chauncey Billups


Jason Kidd

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INJURIES

BLAZERS


Gary Payton II - Cond. - Out
Nassir Little - Hip - Out

MAVERICKS

Maxi Kleber - Knee - Questionable
Josh Green - Elbow - Out

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NOTES
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• This is the second of four games between the Trail Blazers and Mavericks this season
• The Blazers lost narrowly to the Mavericks 117 - 112 on 11/12
• The two teams meet again for a back to back in Portland 1/14 and 1/15
• The Dallas Mavericks swept the 2021-22 season series 3-0

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​

 

[blazerkor]

This will be a good test. I think we beat these guys.

 

[MickZagger]

Nurk should be able to eat in this one.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

This will be a good test. I think we beat these guys.

They’re an average team and we’re a team on the rise. We’re good.

 

[maxiep]

It will be interesting how many fouls Luka puts on Hart and whoever else guards him.

 

[AldoTrapani]

So what happens if GP2 plays this game for 10-12 minutes? What’s the worst that can happen? He’s so soft

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Nurk should be able to eat in this one.

Every game so it seems.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So what happens if GP2 plays this game for 10-12 minutes? What’s the worst that can happen? He’s so soft

It's reasonable to be frustrated by the fact that he hasn't played yet this season, but not actually knowing anything about his physical condition or who's making the decisions regarding whether or not he plays, it's completely ridiculous to call him "soft".

 

[Pinwheel1]

Dallas might be an average team but at home, they are a top-10 team. (11-5)
They have multiple shooters who have the ability to go off on any given night. If I was betting on this game
I would not be putting my money on Portland.

 

[BassPlaya]

The Blazers logo?

 

[THE HCP]

The Blazers logo?

The Grassy Knoll?

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Dallas might be an average team but at home, they are a top-10 team. (11-5)
They have multiple shooters who have the ability to go off on any given night. If I was betting on this game
I would not be putting my money on Portland.

Blazers are 3.5 point Dogs. To close to call?

 

[Shaboid]

Nurk should be able to eat in this one.

*Checks calendar*

It's not Ramadan. I bet Nurk will eat before the game.

 

[BassPlaya]

There is one guy on the Mavs with a clean shaven face. Should make him quite fast.

(Walking in circles with nerves on edge....)

 

[Chris Craig]

The Blazers logo?

It's there.

 

[PCmor7]

This probably has been the longest streak of consecutive games Nurk's been engaged in a while. If it continues, yeah, he could feast.

I think on the other side of the court the key is just not to let the Mavs' shooters get comfortable. Other than Doncic, this is an average and maybe a slightly below average team. Luka will get his, but, even if he does, that's not going to beat you by itself. It's keeping one other guy from having a big game or two other guys from having good night to complement him.

Offensively, be tight with the ball. The Mavs aren't a scary defensive team. Don't turn the ball over. Get decent shots. We'll be in great shape if he don't help them with some of the silly turnovers that crop up for us in spurts.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

This probably has been the longest streak of consecutive games Nurk's been engaged in a while. If it continues, yeah, he could feast.

I think on the other side of the court the key is just not to let the Mavs' shooters get comfortable. Other than Doncic, this is an average and maybe a slightly below average team. Luka will get his, but, even if he does, that's not going to beat you by itself. It's keeping one other guy from having a big game or two other guys from having good night to complement him.

Offensively, be tight with the ball. The Mavs aren't a scary defensive team. Don't turn the ball over. Get decent shots. We'll be in great shape if he don't help them with some of the silly turnovers that crop up for us in spurts.

Good post. I agree.
I’ll add this would work against about half the league. Maybe more?

 

[Mr. Robot]

im watching nurks play from last season and its pretty clear to me that he needs to cut some weight

hell become lighter on his feet, its good for him and its good for the team

 

[Pinwheel1]

im watching nurks play from last season and its pretty clear to me that he needs to cut some weight

hell become lighter on his feet, its good for him and its good for the team

Didn't some say last year that he took too much weight off? I am not sure it is clear. Maybe from an injury standpoint, it would be wise.
They seem to list him at the same weight. I wonder how much he weighed last year. I like when he is bigger as long as he can move and stay healthy, and so far I don't see a difference in his movement.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Didn't some say last year that he took too much weight off? I am not sure it is clear. Maybe from an injury standpoint, it would be wise.
They seem to list him at the same weight. I wonder how much he weighed last year. I like when he is bigger as long as he can move and stay healthy, and so far I don't see a difference in his movement.

he seems slower to me, lateral quickness is not the same, therefore hes not the rim protector he once was and earlier he would slash to the basket and dunk the ball with authority, but im not seeing it anymore

id like to see him cut weight, just to see if he can get back to where he once was

according to the stats, nurk is having a career season, but the eye test dont support it

 

[tlongII]

he seems slower to me, lateral quickness is not the same, therefore hes not the rim protector he once was and earlier he would slash to the basket and dunk the ball with authority, but im not seeing it anymore

id like to see him cut weight, just to see if he can get back to where he once was

according to the stats, nurk is having a career season, but the eye test dont support it

You may need new glasses because he looks pretty damn good to me. He sets great screens and he is a very good passer. I'm liking what I'm seeing from him this season.

 

[riverman]

Now is the time to pile up wins instead of scrambling after the all-star break to make runs. I hope the momentum keeps building and we take care of this road trip. Would be sweet to have a win column cushion by Xmas

 

[Mr. Robot]

You may need new glasses because he looks pretty damn good to me. He sets great screens and he is a very good passer. I'm liking what I'm seeing from him this season.

im talking about rim protection and lateral quickness

doesnt seem light on his feet like he once was and you can comprate it by watching videos from 18/19 season and now

 

[riverman]

im talking about rim protection and lateral quickness

doesnt seem light on his feet like he once was and you can comprate it by watching videos from 18/19 season and now

His all around game is looking great to me this season. He's not a runner or dunker, he's a playmaker...Nurk's one of our best passers and rebounders. His 3 pt shot is a bona fide weapon ...my only complaint is splitting free throws...he used to be better at the stripe. Recently he's been making more of them.

 

[Idog1976]

Excited for this game, it's the biggest game in the near term future. Would be amazing to get this and then take care of business in Houston for the Texas sweep. I remember when the Texas Triangle were the absolute most horrifying stretch of the season. Right now I'm like, geez we better win 2 out of 3 and honestly I want to wipe that smug look of Luka's face too while we are at it!

(I'd probably be smug too if I was that good at his age...or any age!).

 

[PDXFonz]

Mavs one of my least favorite teams

We will either win or lose by 10+

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Lets Go!!!
We win this and I believe we go undefeated on this trip!!!

Make it happen!
Go Blazers!!!

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Lets Go!!!
We win this and I believe we go undefeated on this trip!!!

Make it happen!
Go Blazers!!!

Two in a row against OKC and then the Nuggs after this B2B with Rockets tomorrow. That might be tough.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

The more i look at the next month of games it's brutal.
They do this 6 game trip. Come home for one game vs Charlotte. Then travel for one game vs GS. Then back home for one game vs Detroit. Then travel again for 3 games. Then finally back home Jan 10th for a 4 game stand in 5 days.
The good thing about it is after the 23rd they get Christmas off and they play that Charlotte game on the 26th with a couple more days off before GS.

Now don't be fooled completely. These guys don't really get all that time off to do whatever. They will have to make the obligatory giving presents to needy kids and serving the poor at a shelter stops(Whatever this year happens to bring).

 

[SheedSoNasty]

I heard on the radio that nobody has swept the Texas trip in 15 years. Would be nice to be the first since then. Unfortunately I think we take an L tonight.