Game Thread 2025-26 GAME #21 - BLAZERS @ RAPTORS - TUESDAY - DECEMBER 2, 2025 - 4:30 PM - KUNP - BLAZERVISION (1 Viewer)

[B-Roy]

that looks like theory

here's the reality:

6:08.0	100-105	S. Barnes makes free throw 1 of 2
6:08.0	100-106	S. Barnes makes free throw 2 of 2
5:22.0	100-108	C. Murray-Boyles makes 2-pt layup from 1 ft (assist by I. Quickley)
4:42.0	102-110	B. Ingram makes 2-pt layup from 1 ft (assist by J. Shead)
3:00.0	108-112	J. Poeltl makes 2-pt hook shot from 5 ft (assist by S. Barnes)
2:28.0	108-114	I. Quickley makes 2-pt jump shot from 3 ft
1:53.0	111-116	J. Poeltl makes 2-pt hook shot from 2 ft (assist by S. Barnes)
1:53.0	Shooting foul by T. Camara (drawn by J. Poeltl)
1:53.0	111-117	J. Poeltl makes free throw 1 of 1
0:17.0	115-119	B. Ingram makes 2-pt dunk from 1 ft (assist by J. Shead)
0:05.0	115-120	B. Ingram makes free throw 1 of 2

to start that run, Barnes was fouled at the hoop by Avdija

so essentially, in a close game, Toronto scored their last 15 points on shots in the restricted circle against Portland's small lineup. That's the area of the floor where Clingan is very effective at shot intimidation and shot altering. In order to "claw back" a team needs plenty of stops. Portland wasn't getting them because their best player at getting stops in the paint was sitting on the bench

in the last 6 minutes, Toronto took 11 shots but the box score counted only 10 because Barnes was fouled on one. They were then 6-8 on shots at the hoop and their other two misses were from 11 feet. All their shots were in the paint from 11 feet or less in a game when 30 of their 90 shots were three's and 19 more shots were from mid-range. Sure looks like Toronto recognized that Clingan wasn't in the game and adjusted their offense accordingly. Portland playing small didn't work

Yeah, I'm not getting it. Tiago's justification for the small lineup is that we can switch everything, but they didn't even do that, or at least not properly. And even if you don't want Clingan in drop coverage at least play Rob Williams?

 

[wizenheimer]

Yeah, I'm not getting it. Tiago's justification for the small lineup is that we can switch everything, but they didn't even do that, or at least not properly. And even if you don't want Clingan in drop coverage at least play Rob Williams?

and over the 3:19 of the game, Poeltl was in the game and scored 5 points against the smaller Blazers. Clingan is a perfect counter to Poeltl