Game Thread 2023-24 GAME #53 - BLAZERS VS WOLVES - FEBRUARY 13, 2024 - TUESDAY - 7:00 PM PST - ROOT

[illmatic99]

kinda funny how often ant ends up switched onto guys who have the ball. can't be by design by the offense right?

like that possession, he ends up on Reid for some reason.

 

[Whyachi]

Wolves just toying with the Blazers for 3 qtrs and now shutting down the Blazers

The last 4 losses have looked like this, but we're told the Blazers just ran outta gas, even though Portland is at home catching teams on back 2 backs.

 

[Whyachi]

Refs haven't called any fouls against the Timberwolves this quarter it seems

Minnesota is playing hungry hungry hippo. Just wait for Blazers to miss and grab the rebound.

 

[Tince]

It'll be the lack of Blazers depth vs Minnesota's legs on the 2nd night of a back-to-back... what will give first?

Asked and answered.

 

[illmatic99]

Asked and answered.

well... and the massive talent gap

 

[Tince]

The last 4 losses have looked like this, but we're told the Blazers just ran outta gas, even though Portland is at home catching teams on back 2 backs.

I think it has less to do with conditioning and more to do with the fact that Minnesota is literally better 1-9, as are most rosters.

 

[Whyachi]

Simons & Grant stat padding isn't working, Wolves up 19. Garbage time reserves en route.

 

[MickZagger]

kinda funny how often ant ends up switched onto guys who have the ball. can't be by design by the offense right?

like that possession, he ends up on Reid for some reason.

He’s definitely our biggest weakness defensively. He’s a glorified Dana Barros.

 

[blazerkor]

I think it has less to do with conditioning and more to do with the fact that Minnesota is literally better 1-9, as are most rosters.

Yeah, I just think it's a matter of teams taking the game seriously in the late third and early fourth quarters. They decide they aren't going to let us score on them as much and that they are going to score on us pretty much every time they have the ball.

We aren't good.

 

[Tince]

I have a feeling the Edwards highlight package will show him scoring on Ant, Scoot, Grant, Camara, Thybulle, Ayton, etc....

 

[Tince]

Yeah, I just think it's a matter of teams taking the game seriously in the late third and early fourth quarters. They decide they aren't going to let us score on them as much and that they are going to score on us pretty much every time they have the ball.

We aren't good.

I agree... their scheme appears to only respect two guys on our roster. Ayton and Scoot took advantage of that, but nobody else could.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Cronin waived Alexander-Walker, now he's kicking Portland's butt. Insanely brilliant tanking. Next level stuff

I believe he traded him for a second.

 

[blazerkor]

Scoot had a nice night. Got 14 points on 9 shots and 9 assists with 2 turnovers.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

They’re picking on Ant

He's looked like an absolute mannequin tonight. Not that different than usual though.

 

[Whyachi]

Yeah, I just think it's a matter of teams taking the game seriously in the late third and early fourth quarters. They decide they aren't going to let us score on them as much and that they are going to score on us pretty much every time they have the ball.

We aren't good.

after All-Star break, teams will play harder for playoff positioning. Add to list of excuses why Portland loses games.

 

[Tince]

after All-Star break, teams will play harder for playoff positioning. Add to list of excuses why Portland loses games.

Reasons

 

[illmatic99]

He's looked like an absolute mannequin tonight. Not that different than usual though.

wonder if his ankle is bugging him

 

[illmatic99]

toumani's shot looks a lot smoother of late

 

[B-Roy]

I enjoy Toumani padding his stats in garbage time

 

[Tince]

 

[Whyachi]

toumani's shot looks a lot smoother of late

Camara would have played more if the refs didn't suck. They need to let Toumani smack people around... that's his job.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

wonder if his ankle is bugging him

He's historically been an awful defender. Not sure I'd blame his ankle for it unless he's been playing with an ankle injury for 5 years.

 

[Whyachi]

Chad doesn't look at the standings. The Clippers have been playing exceptional ball, and shooting slumps are rare. Tonight was a normal outcome for a bad Blazers team.

 

[blazerkor]

Ayton shooting 11 for 12 and cleaning up the defensive glass with 14 of his 16 boards coming on that end.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

This team won't have any success until they either bench or trade Ant and put the ball in Scoot's hands.

 

[Tince]

I'm very happy to see Scoot get the opportunity to build some confidence without having to be at the top of the opponents scouting report and face teams #1 defender(s). Perfect situation for the young rookie!

 

[illmatic99]

He's historically been an awful defender. Not sure I'd blame his ankle for it unless he's been playing with an ankle injury for 5 years.

sure but he's been better this season than the sieve he was this game.

 

[Whyachi]

Burkhardt on the radio just being cheery as cherry syrup. Telling us how much he liked the way the Blazers battled. Ignoring the Timberwolves chewing up the Blazers like that famous Duran Duran song.

 

[Tince]

Buchanan on the radio just being cheery as cherry syrup. Telling us how much he liked the way the Blazers battled. Ignoring the Timberwolves chewing up the Blazers like a that famous Duran Duran song.

I thought the Blazers played well all things considered.

 

[Tince]

I have a feeling the Edwards highlight package will show him scoring on Ant, Scoot, Grant, Camara, Thybulle, Ayton, etc....

As anticipated, I watch all of his made field goals and I would assign Simons responsibility for 3.33 of Edwards' 16 made field goals. Meaning 79% of Edwards field goals were scored on 7 different Blazer defenders outside of Simons.