Blazers vs Clippers: The Match-Ups

[theprunetang]

CP3 is an advantage for them. Great on offense along with excellent defense. Aminu isn't really an advantage for us; he's a role player I'd look at those guys as a group instead of 1 vs 1. If we look at all our role players including the bench we could have an advantage. It won't be one of them that's a huge key; we need a collective effort. I don't expect a great Blake Griffin, but the Clippers certainly are a very good team on both ends even without him.

To me the series comes down to DeAndre vs CJ. We have a real problem with big athletic centers. CJ potentially has a huge advantage the other way as CP3 can only guard one man. CJ needs to dominate his matchup more than DeAndre dominantes his.

So to win both our bench needs to outperform theirs and CJ needs to outplay DJ. Let's say each outcome is a coin flip; that gives us a 25% chance to win this thing which isn't far off.

Go Blazers!

I agree with most of this. But remember that Aminu was basically the mav's best player in the playoffs last year. And he is going to be free a lot with the attention on Dame and cj.

 

[Draco]

Who can we (should we) put on CP3 not named Lillard?

Lillard should be on CP3; he's much better at on ball defense than away from the ball. It's the lesser of two evils.

What makes CP3 special offensively isn't his ability to score; its his ability to get everyone else on the team rolling.

 

[BigGameDamian]

CP3 always gets the best of Lillard.

 

[HailBlazers]

CP3 always gets the best of Lillard.

which is why we need someone else defending him

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

Who can we (should we) put on CP3 not named Lillard?

Harkless? Depends who the Clippers start at SF.

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

Lillard should be on CP3; he's much better at on ball defense than away from the ball. It's the lesser of two evils.

What makes CP3 special offensively isn't his ability to score; its his ability to get everyone else on the team rolling.

And Jordan being allowed to get away with moving picks to free up CP3 every time.

Hopefully that gets cleaned up by the refs but I am not holding my breath.

 

[dviss1]

It's not Dame who is torched by Paul, it's the idiotic defensive scheme we use to guard him. What we should do is pretty simple:

The big opens up, does NOT hedge, and guard goes UNDERNEATH the pick. Double him 25% of the time.

If we go over top of that pick one time...

 

[Denny Crane]

The Clippers have lost in the 1st round or 2nd round each of the past 4 seasons. They've made it to the 2nd round in both of Rivers' seasons as coach.

They choke in the playoffs, considering how good they look on paper. I think they're quite beatable.

I'm not sure you have to stop Paul to beat them. I'm more concerned with stopping Reddick, who can kill us with his 3pt shooting. We also need to keep Jordan off the glass, especially on the offensive end. Also, Crawful can really go off against our 2nd unit, too.

 

[TBpup]

I totally disagree here. I get that Crawford could get hot, or go off, at any time. But he's up for 6th man consideration far more off of reputation. He just flat out has not had a good season. 14 points, but on 11 shots a game. He's got a higher usage rate than all but Lillard and CJ on our team. But with poor shooting, and Plumlee has a better assist percentage than he does, so it isn't like he's offering playmaking. Aminu has been a better shooter this year, for someone that's their "microwave". Again, I get that he gets hot. But he's overall been bad. Henderson has shot better from 3. Crabbe way better. They also both play solidly on the other end of the floor. I think this is totally buying into media liking to talk about a 6MOY strictly off of PPG.

Crawchuck hasn't been as good but he still (and did so this season) has the ability to flat out explode more than Crabbe or Hendo. Crabbe hasn't shot well for a couple of months and while Gerald has been solid, he hasn't shown the ability to take over a game at times like Crawford. Pierce is WAY passed his prime but just last season was good for some daggers against the Spurs. He'd just got that clutch experience that no on on the Blazers has. Davis does things that no Clipper can do but Green can be quite effective IF he decides to show up.

Even though the Clippers haven't done very well in the Playoffs, the Power Rankings have this as an 82% likely hood that they beat the Blazers. I would love to beat those whiny crybabies but it would certainly be an upset.

 

[RR7]

Crawchuck hasn't been as good but he still (and did so this season) has the ability to flat out explode more than Crabbe or Hendo. Crabbe hasn't shot well for a couple of months and while Gerald has been solid, he hasn't shown the ability to take over a game at times like Crawford. Pierce is WAY passed his prime but just last season was good for some daggers against the Spurs. He'd just got that clutch experience that no on on the Blazers has. Davis does things that no Clipper can do but Green can be quite effective IF he decides to show up.

Even though the Clippers haven't done very well in the Playoffs, the Power Rankings have this as an 82% likely hood that they beat the Blazers. I would love to beat those whiny crybabies but it would certainly be an upset.

Crabbe hasn't shot well in a couple of months? He shot 50% from 3 in April. 43.6% in march. You may be thinking of the poor shooting February he had, and forgotten how well he's shot since.
I agree that we're unlikely to win. I don't think it'll be easy to even get a game. Just disagree with the reasoning on it to an extent.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

What about Stotts vs. Rivers?

 

[BonesJones]

Crawchuck hasn't been as good but he still (and did so this season) has the ability to flat out explode more than Crabbe or Hendo.

He also has the ability to implode more than Hendo or Crabbe...

 

[TBpup]

Crabbe hasn't shot well in a couple of months? He shot 50% from 3 in April. 43.6% in march. You may be thinking of the poor shooting February he had, and forgotten how well he's shot since.
I agree that we're unlikely to win. I don't think it'll be easy to even get a game. Just disagree with the reasoning on it to an extent.

He shot .408 from the field in March....I was referring to his overall shooting but perhaps could have been more clear. He shot better from '3' in March but was streaky....had 7 games were he didn't make a '3' at all. Take out the 2 highs (6-10 and 4-5) and the two lows (0-0 and 0-1) and this takes out the biggest swings from the mean and then calculate. He still shot a good .392 from '3' which is almost exactly what he shot for the year so reflective of his month shooting from distance.

He also has the ability to implode more than Hendo or Crabbe...

Crawford can certainly shoot you 'into' or 'out of' a game. If he is shooting poorly, Rivers can always take him out. When he goes crazy, Hendo and Crabbe don't yet have the ability to duplicate that. Few players do.

 

[BonesJones]

Crawford can certainly shoot you 'into' or 'out of' a game. If he is shooting poorly, Rivers can always take him out. When he goes crazy, Hendo and Crabbe don't yet have the ability to duplicate that. Few players do.

But that's exactly my point, if he's not shooting well then you have the shell of Paul Pierce and Jeff Green going up against Davis, Crabbe and Henderson.. That's a huge advantage to us. If Crawford is shooting well then they only have a slight advantage, if any because our 7th and 8th guys are better than theirs

 

[theprunetang]

Anyone else getting antsy waiting for this thing? Sunday night is way too far away.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Anyone else getting antsy waiting for this thing? Sunday night is way too far away.

Im on the fricken Clippers site checking out their roster. Their page sucks.. Ive never gone to another teams site before. LOL. BRING EM ON!!!!!!!

 

[theprunetang]

Im on the fricken Clippers site checking out their roster. Their page sucks.. Ive never gone to another teams site before. LOL. BRING EM ON!!!!!!!

Any juicy nuggets from clips fans?

 

[Orion Bailey]

But that's exactly my point, if he's not shooting well then you have the shell of Paul Pierce and Jeff Green going up against Davis, Crabbe and Henderson.. That's a huge advantage to us. If Crawford is shooting well then they only have a slight advantage, if any because our 7th and 8th guys are better than theirs

That's the thing. If we are to win this series, and I think and believe we can and will... it will be from our bench and rebounding. If the bench can step up and outplay their bench and we can out rebound them as a team I think we can take the series. Oh yeah. And Defense. Must maintain a strong and stable D and not let up for any type of duration.

Pivital matchups?

Jordan vs ? Plums to start but...Who can box him out and keep his rebounding low?

Harkless Vs Griffin ...Assuming Harkless starts, and I think he should, I think he can be enough of a defensive force on Griffin to cause him to miss most of his now very reliable mid range shot. I see Harkless turning on the D and frustrating Griffin causing turnovers and poor shots.

CJ vs Crawford.... This will be my personal fav. As has been pointed out, Crawford has the ability to do what few can, shoot you into and/or out of a game in a moments notice. Well CJ is another one who is starting to prove he can do that too when he gets super hot. We have seen it a couple times in his short career already. Yes CJ is a starter, but will most likely be on Crawful when he plays with the second unit. I look for CJ to just dominate this both on O & D. shutting Crawful down big time and giving Doc a huge smug look from across court as we finish them in 6 and watch them sulk out of the Moda.

Bring this damn thing on!!!

Blazers are once again considered huge underdogs.. Just like Dame and his group likes it. Nobody will see the total domination they put onto the Clippers, in the first game, coming.

Doc will have a T in the first game and possibly be ejected before the series is over.


Oh. These are all facts i'm just informing you all of in advance.!!!!

Book it!

 

[TBpup]

That's the thing. If we are to win this series, and I think and believe we can and will... it will be from our bench and rebounding. If the bench can step up and outplay their bench and we can out rebound them as a team I think we can take the series. Oh yeah. And Defense. Must maintain a strong and stable D and not let up for any type of duration.

Pivital matchups?

Jordan vs ? Plums to start but...Who can box him out and keep his rebounding low?

Harkless Vs Griffin ...Assuming Harkless starts, and I think he should, I think he can be enough of a defensive force on Griffin to cause him to miss most of his now very reliable mid range shot. I see Harkless turning on the D and frustrating Griffin causing turnovers and poor shots.

CJ vs Crawford.... This will be my personal fav. As has been pointed out, Crawford has the ability to do what few can, shoot you into and/or out of a game in a moments notice. Well CJ is another one who is starting to prove he can do that too when he gets super hot. We have seen it a couple times in his short career already. Yes CJ is a starter, but will most likely be on Crawful when he plays with the second unit. I look for CJ to just dominate this both on O & D. shutting Crawful down big time and giving Doc a huge smug look from across court as we finish them in 6 and watch them sulk out of the Moda.

Bring this damn thing on!!!

Blazers are once again considered huge underdogs.. Just like Dame and his group likes it. Nobody will see the total domination they put onto the Clippers, in the first game, coming.

Doc will have a T in the first game and possibly be ejected before the series is over.


Oh. These are all facts i'm just informing you all of in advance.!!!!

Book it!

These were good talking points before the game so thought I'd use them to review. Not picking on anything at all as I thought they would rebound better as well and didn't expect CJ to be such a no-show either.

Pivital matchups?

Jordan vs ? Plums to start but...Who can box him out and keep his rebounding low? No one did. The Clips were normally a poor rebounding team but they toyed with the Blazers for most of the night until it didn't matter any more. This is one of those area where 'size matters'. Jordan and Griffin are just WAY too big for Plumlee and Harkless/Aminu. That isn't changing anytime soon so Portland will have to figure out another way to address that.

Harkless Vs Griffin ...Assuming Harkless starts, and I think he should, I think he can be enough of a defensive force on Griffin to cause him to miss most of his now very reliable mid range shot. I see Harkless turning on the D and frustrating Griffin causing turnovers and poor shots. Griffin treated any smallish Blazer guarding him like they were nothing more than an annoying mosquito. Harkless....got early fouls. Aminu...just got backed under the basket. Griffin didn't find out if he would struggle with his outside shot because he didn't have to shoot anything but FT's outside of 3'. Whether it's Vonleh or Kaman, they need more bulk especially if Griffin isn't going to shoot from the outside at all.

CJ vs Crawford.... This will be my personal fav. As has been pointed out, Crawford has the ability to do what few can, shoot you into and/or out of a game in a moments notice. Well CJ is another one who is starting to prove he can do that too when he gets super hot. We have seen it a couple times in his short career already. Yes CJ is a starter, but will most likely be on Crawful when he plays with the second unit. I look for CJ to just dominate this both on O & D. shutting Crawful down big time and giving Doc a huge smug look from across court as we finish them in 6 and watch them sulk out of the Moda. This one went surprisingly sour for Portland. Rivers started Mbah a Moute on CJ and McCollum never recovered. He was an abysmal 3-11 and did nothing else to justify being out on the floor and was outscored by his opposite SG number Redick 17-9. For Portland to have ANY hope, that needs to be flip-flopped.

Bring this damn thing on!!! It's here and Portland got run out of the gym. Plumlee couldn't finish hardly anything, the Clippers let Aminu and Harkless have outside shot they wanted and encouraged them to do so and the one advantage Portland was supposed to have (Rebounding) was thrown in their face as they were outrebounded by 20%.

Blazers are once again considered huge underdogs.. Just like Dame and his group likes it. Nobody will see the total domination they put onto the Clippers, in the first game, coming. They were underdogs for a reason and while I think they come back and battle to a closer score in Game 2 and not get blown out, unless Aminu starts hitting from '3' and Plumlee can finish around the rim, this series won't last long.

Doc will have a T in the first game and possibly be ejected before the series is over. He was surprisingly quiet although didn't have much to complain about after the first 18 minutes of the game. VERY rare for the normally Crying Rivers.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

It's now a little clearer that we seem to be outmatched at four of the five positions, Paul over Lillard because of his much better defense, Redick over McCollum because of his much better shooting percentages, Griffin over Aminu (no explanation needed), Jordan over Plumlee. None of those really close in my eyes. Harkless about even with Moute. Bench about even, we got Davis and Henderson but they got Crawford.

 

[TBpup]

What about Stotts vs. Rivers?

It looked like Stotts came out with the same plan like them double-teaming Dame every time was a complete surprise. There was no adjustment at all during the game and they kept running the high pick-n-role over and over again. Rivers also made the adjustment of Mbah a Moute onto CJ.

So Game 1 would have to go to Rivers as much as I hate that. It's almost inconceivable that Stotts didn't have them prepare for the constant double-team but why they kept running right into it is beyond me. If it's just up to Aminu to make shots to win this series, that probably doesn't end well as that is just not his game.

 

[riverman]

These were good talking points before the game so thought I'd use them to review. Not picking on anything at all as I thought they would rebound better as well and didn't expect CJ to be such a no-show either.

Pivital matchups?

Jordan vs ? Plums to start but...Who can box him out and keep his rebounding low? No one did. The Clips were normally a poor rebounding team but they toyed with the Blazers for most of the night until it didn't matter any more. This is one of those area where 'size matters'. Jordan and Griffin are just WAY too big for Plumlee and Harkless/Aminu. That isn't changing anytime soon so Portland will have to figure out another way to address that.

Harkless Vs Griffin ...Assuming Harkless starts, and I think he should, I think he can be enough of a defensive force on Griffin to cause him to miss most of his now very reliable mid range shot. I see Harkless turning on the D and frustrating Griffin causing turnovers and poor shots. Griffin treated any smallish Blazer guarding him like they were nothing more than an annoying mosquito. Harkless....got early fouls. Aminu...just got backed under the basket. Griffin didn't find out if he would struggle with his outside shot because he didn't have to shoot anything but FT's outside of 3'. Whether it's Vonleh or Kaman, they need more bulk especially if Griffin isn't going to shoot from the outside at all.

CJ vs Crawford.... This will be my personal fav. As has been pointed out, Crawford has the ability to do what few can, shoot you into and/or out of a game in a moments notice. Well CJ is another one who is starting to prove he can do that too when he gets super hot. We have seen it a couple times in his short career already. Yes CJ is a starter, but will most likely be on Crawful when he plays with the second unit. I look for CJ to just dominate this both on O & D. shutting Crawful down big time and giving Doc a huge smug look from across court as we finish them in 6 and watch them sulk out of the Moda. This one went surprisingly sour for Portland. Rivers started Mbah a Moute on CJ and McCollum never recovered. He was an abysmal 3-11 and did nothing else to justify being out on the floor and was outscored by his opposite SG number Redick 17-9. For Portland to have ANY hope, that needs to be flip-flopped.

Bring this damn thing on!!! It's here and Portland got run out of the gym. Plumlee couldn't finish hardly anything, the Clippers let Aminu and Harkless have outside shot they wanted and encouraged them to do so and the one advantage Portland was supposed to have (Rebounding) was thrown in their face as they were outrebounded by 20%.

Blazers are once again considered huge underdogs.. Just like Dame and his group likes it. Nobody will see the total domination they put onto the Clippers, in the first game, coming. They were underdogs for a reason and while I think they come back and battle to a closer score in Game 2 and not get blown out, unless Aminu starts hitting from '3' and Plumlee can finish around the rim, this series won't last long.

Doc will have a T in the first game and possibly be ejected before the series is over. He was surprisingly quiet although didn't have much to complain about after the first 18 minutes of the game. VERY rare for the normally Crying Rivers.

good post but one exception for me...Kaman actually did a great job boxing out Jordan and setting screens

 

[TBpup]

good post but one exception for me...Kaman actually did a great job boxing out Jordan and setting screens

He absolutely did but the game was basically over by then so it's tough to tell if that was Kaman (which I think he does some things that just don't exist other places on the roster) or if the Clippers had let off the gas by then out of boredom.

 

[Orion Bailey]

These were good talking points before the game so thought I'd use them to review. Not picking on anything at all as I thought they would rebound better as well and didn't expect CJ to be such a no-show either.

Pivital matchups?

Jordan vs ? Plums to start but...Who can box him out and keep his rebounding low? No one did. The Clips were normally a poor rebounding team but they toyed with the Blazers for most of the night until it didn't matter any more. This is one of those area where 'size matters'. Jordan and Griffin are just WAY too big for Plumlee and Harkless/Aminu. That isn't changing anytime soon so Portland will have to figure out another way to address that.

Harkless Vs Griffin ...Assuming Harkless starts, and I think he should, I think he can be enough of a defensive force on Griffin to cause him to miss most of his now very reliable mid range shot. I see Harkless turning on the D and frustrating Griffin causing turnovers and poor shots. Griffin treated any smallish Blazer guarding him like they were nothing more than an annoying mosquito. Harkless....got early fouls. Aminu...just got backed under the basket. Griffin didn't find out if he would struggle with his outside shot because he didn't have to shoot anything but FT's outside of 3'. Whether it's Vonleh or Kaman, they need more bulk especially if Griffin isn't going to shoot from the outside at all.

CJ vs Crawford.... This will be my personal fav. As has been pointed out, Crawford has the ability to do what few can, shoot you into and/or out of a game in a moments notice. Well CJ is another one who is starting to prove he can do that too when he gets super hot. We have seen it a couple times in his short career already. Yes CJ is a starter, but will most likely be on Crawful when he plays with the second unit. I look for CJ to just dominate this both on O & D. shutting Crawful down big time and giving Doc a huge smug look from across court as we finish them in 6 and watch them sulk out of the Moda. This one went surprisingly sour for Portland. Rivers started Mbah a Moute on CJ and McCollum never recovered. He was an abysmal 3-11 and did nothing else to justify being out on the floor and was outscored by his opposite SG number Redick 17-9. For Portland to have ANY hope, that needs to be flip-flopped.

Bring this damn thing on!!! It's here and Portland got run out of the gym. Plumlee couldn't finish hardly anything, the Clippers let Aminu and Harkless have outside shot they wanted and encouraged them to do so and the one advantage Portland was supposed to have (Rebounding) was thrown in their face as they were outrebounded by 20%.

Blazers are once again considered huge underdogs.. Just like Dame and his group likes it. Nobody will see the total domination they put onto the Clippers, in the first game, coming. They were underdogs for a reason and while I think they come back and battle to a closer score in Game 2 and not get blown out, unless Aminu starts hitting from '3' and Plumlee can finish around the rim, this series won't last long.

Doc will have a T in the first game and possibly be ejected before the series is over. He was surprisingly quiet although didn't have much to complain about after the first 18 minutes of the game. VERY rare for the normally Crying Rivers.

Great Post!!!

NOt saying things would have went different, but we wil also never have a chance if the refs are so easily manipulated by a finger pointing Griffin. If they are going to allow the Clips players to influence thier whistle blowing, The Blazers might as well head to the D league. I almost turned the game off after that I was sooo pissed. After all the talk, you think the refs would know the details of the Clips trying to manipulate them and would have none of it...

Of Course Doc had nothing to complain about. His p[layers were dictating to the refs when to blow the whistle. Her got his way and then some.. again....


I will say this. Never before Have I seen a Hack -a-whoever go so bad. Doc owned us on that move at the end of the first quarter....

 

[riverman]

I think we set a record for blocking shots directly into their pt guards hands last night...CP3 and Redick didn't even have to move to collect the tips and blocks all night.

 

[riverman]

Maybe a good butt kicking is what we need to get fired up to make a series out of this first round

 

[TBpup]

Great Post!!!

NOt saying things would have went different, but we wil also never have a chance if the refs are so easily manipulated by a finger pointing Griffin. If they are going to allow the Clips players to influence thier whistle blowing, The Blazers might as well head to the D league. I almost turned the game off after that I was sooo pissed. After all the talk, you think the refs would know the details of the Clips trying to manipulate them and would have none of it...

Of Course Doc had nothing to complain about. His p[layers were dictating to the refs when to blow the whistle. Her got his way and then some.. again....

I will say this. Never before Have I seen a Hack -a-whoever go so bad. Doc owned us on that move at the end of the first quarter....

With as much as all the series in the West were blowouts in the first game, will the league try to 'even' things up a bit with calls for the teams getting smoked? It's bad enough that Griffin is reffing as well and that Paul falls down like he's been shot when he gets breathed on. Otherwise, all 4 series could be done in 5 games or less and that is bad for TV revenue. Never forget the NBA is a business.

 

[TBpup]

The Benches: Advantage Clippers

Playoff rotations usually only go about 8 deep as there are rarely back-to-back games and coaches ride their top players. Jamal Crawford, Paul Pierce, Jeff Green (and Austin Rivers) at #9) DWARFS anything that Portland can counter with. The Blazers counter with Ed Davis, Gerald Henderson and Allan Crabbe with maybe Vonleh at #9 out of necessity against the Clipper 'bigs'. Crawford is up for 6th MoY (again), Jeff Green is a match-up problem IF he gets going and Paul Pierce is good for a dagger even if he doesn't contribute as much from game to game anymore.

For the Blazers, Ed Davis will battle until his heart gives out, Gerald Henderson will be a steady, veteran influence and Crabbe hopefully can find that stroke he had midway through the season. Is there anyone that will have a breakout performance like CJ and Meyers from last year?

***************************************************************************************************************

Okay, I thought the Clippers bench had an advantage but I didn't think it would be this much of a discrepancy. Crabbe took 3 shots....looks scared. Hendo is the only guy who looks like he wants to shoot and I suppose Kaman for the couple minutes he was in there. Ed Davis isn't having NEAR the impact off the bench he did in the regular season. 43-10 is a downright thumping and with the way the Clips are doubling any Blazer PG with the ball, that is going to need to be turned around in a hurry.