Game Thread GAME# 19: BLAZERS @ WARRIORS - NOVEMBER 23, 2018 - FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
12 - 6
(5-4 Road)
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
12 - 6
(8-2 Home)


_____________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS QUINN COOK

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS ANDRE IGUODALA

SF

JAKE LAYMAN VS KLAY THOMPSON

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS KEVIN DURANT

C

JUSUF NURKIC VS KEVON LOONEY



------------------------------------------------------

-----------

--------------------------------------------------------------



WHEN: 7:30 PM (PST), FRIDAY, 11/23/2018

WHERE: ORACLE ARENA, OAKLAND, CA

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

------------------------------------------------------



--------------BENCH--------------
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

SWANIGAN , COLLINS , LEONARD

------ GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS------

LIVINGSTON , EVANS , LEE

DERRICKSON , McKINNIE

BELL , JEREBKO , JONES



INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Seth Curry (right knee): QUESTIONABLE
Moe Harkless (left knee soreness): QUESTIONABLE
WARRIORS
Stephen Curry (left groin strain): OUT
Draymond Green (right toe sprain): QUESTIONABLE
Alfonzo McKinnie (left foot soreness): QUESTIONABLE
DeMarcus Cousins (left Achilles rehab): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- STEVE KERR

OFFICIAL WARRIORS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Friday’s game marks the first of four meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Warriors during the 2018-19 season. Portland won the season series in 2017-18, 2-1.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers outscored the Warriors, 38-25, in the fourth quarter on their way to a 125-108 victory at Moda Center on March 9. CJ McCollum scored a team-high 30 points (10-19 FG, 5-9 3-PT, 5-7 FT) to go with four rebounds and one assist while Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 40 points, six rebounds and six assists.

• In three games against the Warriors last season, Damian Lillard averaged 37.0 points (45.9% FG, 38.2% 3-PT, 96.8% FT), 3.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.33 steals.

• CJ McCollum averaged 26.7 points (50.8% FG, 45.0% 3-PT, 84.6% FT), 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three games against Golden State last season.

• In three games against Portland last season, Kevin Durant averaged 39.3 points (58.0% FG, 46.7% 3-PT, 100% FT), 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.33 blocks.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 123-102
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 82-30
AT THE WARRIORS: Warriors lead, 72-41

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Both teams share quite a bit of similarities.

Spoiler

Both teams' franchise player is a 3-point-bombing, 6-foot-3 point-guard who was drafted in the mid-lotto.
Both teams currently have the same record.
Heck, both teams currently have an injured Curry.

Spoiler

Where they differ is one team has been down-right dominant the past 4 seasons, winning 3 championships and breaking the regular season win record, while the other has been a treadmill team, to put it bluntly.

This current era of Warriors have demolished the Blazers every time they've met in the postseason. And even more relevant, Golden State has won 7 straight home games against the Blazers (and that's not including the playoff games).

But here's a chance for the Blazers to turn things around. Curry and Green will probably sit out due to injury, so a victory won't be impossible.

Spoiler

However, take note that the Blazers also played at Oracle Arena last year against the Warriors without Steph and Draymond. The result: Golden State cruised to an easy victory, so beating the Warriors is no easy task, no matter whom they're missing.

But it would be so sweet if they could take advantage of a depleted Warriors team and win this game to salvage a tough road trip. You know Lillard will bring a little extra this game, playing in front of his hometown.

One final (interesting) note: the last time Portland won in Golden State was on 11/23/2013, exactly 5 years ago. Lillard and Leonard are the only remaining Blazers from that victorious Portland team.

Spoiler

 

[BonesJones]

Both teams share quite a bit of similarities.

Spoiler

Both teams' franchise player is a 3-point-bombing, 6-foot-3 point-guard who was drafted in the mid-lotto.
Both teams currently have the same record.
Heck, both teams currently have an injured Curry.

Spoiler

Where they differ is one team has been down-right dominant the past 4 seasons, winning 3 championships and breaking the regular season win record, while the other has been a treadmill team, to put it bluntly.

This current era of Warriors have demolished the Blazers every time they've met in the postseason. And even more relevant, Golden State has won 7 straight home games against the Blazers (and that's not including the playoff games).

But here's a chance for the Blazers to turn things around. Curry and Green will probably sit out due to injury, so a victory won't be impossible.

Spoiler

However, take note that the Blazers also played at Oracle Arena last year against the Warriors without Steph and Draymond. The result: Golden State cruised to an easy victory, so beating the Warriors is no easy task, no matter whom they're missing.

But it would be so sweet if they could take advantage of a depleted Warriors team and win this game to salvage a tough road trip. You know Lillard will bring a little extra this game, playing in front of his hometown.

One final (interesting) note: the last time Portland won in Golden State was on 11/23/2013, exactly 5 years ago. Lillard and Leonard are the only remaining Blazers from that victorious Portland team.

Spoiler

You're the MVP (most valuable poster) of this forum

 

[blazerkor]

We need to get this win and get things back on track. The Curryless Warriors have shown that they are very beatable. Dame should have a huge game in front of his family and friends. Yeah, I think we win this one and get back on track.

 

[Chris Craig]

W

 

[Chris Craig]

What the hell is Rakuten?

 

[TBpup]

Been looking forward to that epic Damian Lillard/Quinn Cook matchup!

 

[Sarni]

Everyone beats them nowadays and without Curry and Green they are very fragile. Think we can win this one comfortably.

 

[TBpup]

Everyone beats them nowadays and without Curry and Green they are very fragile. Think we can win this one comfortably.

Agreed. They are 4-6 in their last 10.....a shell of their former selves.

 

[kjironman1]

Hope that shellacking last night was enough to get them to start playing well again. Something has not been right on this road trip.

 

[KingSpeed]

We were 2-1 against them last year and one of the wins was against a fully healthy team.

 

[kjironman1]

We were 2-1 against them last year and one of the wins was against a fully healthy team.

Try not to Jinx this next game.

 

[Labinot41]

Lillard 34.1 3P%... Wtf

 

[oldmangrouch]

Agreed. They are 4-6 in their last 10.....a shell of their former selves.

But still 8-1 at home. They are a shell of themselves on the road - but that doesn't help us in this game.

Edit: sorry, that should be 8-2.

 

[TBpup]

Lillard 34.1 3P%... Wtf

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Hope that shellacking last night was enough to get them to start playing well again. Something has not been right on this road trip.

I hate when this happens. When the team gets this out of sync, the first thing that pops into my head is "Ray Felton." If you recall, that team got off to a hot start before imploding.

 

[oldmangrouch]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

My semi-educated guess: playing with big men who are "offensively challenged" has been an ongoing issue.

 

[Labinot41]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

I agree. Dame is my favourite and he made me to become a Blazers fan. And he has his 10-15 Games per Season he is Shooting lights out, but overall he is not a good 3 point Shooter. Since the retool in 2015 he shot 37.5%, 37.0%, 36.1% and this year his 3 point shot has fallen to 34.1%.

 

[Labinot41]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

his playoff statistics are even worse, 38.6% (good), 16.1% (terrible), 39.1% (good), 28.1% (very bad) and 30.0% (bad)

 

[e_blazer]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

No doubt that Dame has off nights when he probably would be better advised to pass than to force up some of those contested or really deep 3 pt. shots. That said, I think as the leader of the team, that Dame feels the need to push things sometimes simply to help instill confidence in the team's role players. There have been ample times when Dame hitting a few threes has gotten the team rolling when they're in a scoring drought.

As far as Dame being, "not a great 3-pt shooter", I would have to completely disagree. I think his stats are pushed down a bit by the fact that he is one of the most closely guarded players in the league. Unlike some of the "great" three point shooters in the league like Klay Thompson, who are primarily catch and shoot guys who pop open 3 point jump shots, Dame has the ball in his hands most of the time and creates a lot of his shots coming off screens. His ability to hit those shots is at times uncanny. I'd say he's second only to Steph Curry in his ability to do those types of plays.

Speaking of the great 3 pt. shooter, Klay Thompson, so far this season his been mostly a brick-layer from three. He's had one monster night where he posted 14-24 from three, but he's also gone 1-8, 0-2, 1-6, 1-6, 1-5, 0-4, 1-5, 1-4, 5-16, 0-5, 2-11, 3-11 and 3-8. I'll guarantee you that most of the shots he's been missing are nowhere near as tough as the ones Dame is forced to take.

 

[TBpup]

As far as Dame being, "not a great 3-pt shooter", I would have to completely disagree. I think his stats are pushed down a bit by the fact that he is one of the most closely guarded players in the league.

Agreed...which is why I followed that with the caveats of the types of shots he is taking. However, he continues to take those shots so even though he may be a great shooter when he is taking open/good shots, his percentage doesn't reflect that because often he is not taking those types of looks. It is a bit of a catch-22 because of course we need him to shoot. But I still believe that as he continues to mature his game, he will find more opportunities to pass on those shots where he is only hitting around 25% and look for a better option elsewhere.

Otherwise this team will never reach the levels we all are hoping for.

 

[swish3]

No doubt that Dame has off nights when he probably would be better advised to pass than to force up some of those contested or really deep 3 pt. shots. That said, I think as the leader of the team, that Dame feels the need to push things sometimes simply to help instill confidence in the team's role players. There have been ample times when Dame hitting a few threes has gotten the team rolling when they're in a scoring drought.

As far as Dame being, "not a great 3-pt shooter", I would have to completely disagree. I think his stats are pushed down a bit by the fact that he is one of the most closely guarded players in the league. Unlike some of the "great" three point shooters in the league like Klay Thompson, who are primarily catch and shoot guys who pop open 3 point jump shots, Dame has the ball in his hands most of the time and creates a lot of his shots coming off screens. His ability to hit those shots is at times uncanny. I'd say he's second only to Steph Curry in his ability to do those types of plays.

Speaking of the great 3 pt. shooter, Klay Thompson, so far this season his been mostly a brick-layer from three. He's had one monster night where he posted 14-24 from three, but he's also gone 1-8, 0-2, 1-6, 1-6, 1-5, 0-4, 1-5, 1-4, 5-16, 0-5, 2-11, 3-11 and 3-8. I'll guarantee you that most of the shots he's been missing are nowhere near as tough as the ones Dame is forced to take.

A discussion of great 3 point shooters should include recognizing that Meyers is now 2nd in the NBA with 53.3%. In addition, Dame (CJ, Chief, Jake, Zach, Nik, etc) have gotten some of their best open swish3 attempts by screens and often handoff assist screens by Meyers. The offense is stronger with Meyers in the game, and his defense has steadily improved to the point that he is positive on DBPM and BPM. It is time to increase his role and emphasize the synergy that Meyers and Dame offer.

By the way, despite some impressive shooting episodes, Klay is not on the list of the top 20 3 point shooting percentage list. Let's promote getting Meyers back to the 76.9% NBA record percentage in the playoffs that we know he is capable of scoring.

 

[BonesJones]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

See, the problem is people will only lopk at percentages and thats it. You need to realize the effect his aggressiveness and potential to get hot has on the defense. He opens up the offense and spreads the court, and it's also why Nurkic can get so open on pick n rolls.

He also gets fouled a lot. For every 100 3pt shots, the average player gets fouled maybe twice. I'd say Dame gets fouled around 6 times. So he's producing around 11pts more per 100 3pt shots compared to the average player shooting the same percentage. Given his 3pt percentage now's that'd be as efficient as the average foul-drawer shooting 37.8%.

But people just look at the percentage and base everything off that. For example:

Lillard 34.1 3P%... Wtf

 

[kjironman1]

Seex the problem is people will only lopk at percentages and thats it. You need to realize the effect his aggressiveness and potential to get hot has on the defense. He opens up the offense and spreads the court, and it's also why Nurkic can get so open on pick n rolls.

He also gets fouled a lot. For every 100 3pt shots, the average player gets fouled maybe twice. I'd say Dame gets fouled around 6 times. So he's producing around 11pts more per 100 3pt shots compared to the average player shooting the same percentage. Given his 3pt percentage now's that'd be as efficient as the average foul-drawer shooting 37.8%.

But people just look at the percentage and base everything off that. For example:

Absolutely! You cannot look at percentages and get a true picture. Stats are only so effective at telling you what a player does. This is why Aminu is worth more to this team than his stats might indicate also. But on the converse side it is also what teams are doing to the Blazers with him on the court that is tough to watch. When Aminu goes cold it immediately lets team double Lillard without paying the price. That price is having a SF or PF shut down any chance at Lillard blowing past his man when his defender jams him. It makes Lillard have to shoot a tough shot or try to find another open look which is not there. Then he passes to Aminu for another wide open attempt. If that shot falls the Blazers are in business. If not? Well we all know what happens then.

 

[BonesJones]

Absolutely! You cannot look at percentages and get a true picture. Stats are only so effective at telling you what a player does. This is why Aminu is worth more to this team than his stats might indicate also. But on the converse side it is also what teams are doing to the Blazers with him on the court that is tough to watch. When Aminu goes cold it immediately lets team double Lillard without paying the price. That price is having a SF or PF shut down any chance at Lillard blowing past his man when his defender jams him. It makes Lillard have to shoot a tough shot or try to find another open look which is not there. Then he passes to Aminu for another wide open attempt. If that shot falls the Blazers are in business. If not? Well we all know what happens then.

I just find it weird that some people can't realize going 1 for 10 with 10 FT attempts (from an 80% shooter) is better than going 4 for 10 with 1 FTA. But "He's shooting 10% WTF"...

That's why I like TS%.

 

[kjironman1]

I just find it weird that some people can't realize going 1 for 10 with 10 FT attempts (from an 80% shooter) is better than going 4 for 10 with 1 FTA. But "He's shooting 10% WTF"...

That's why I like TS%.

And Lillard is a 90% Free Throw shooter at that! Total money at the line.

 

[BonesJones]

And Lillard is a 90% Free Throw shooter at that! Total money at the line.

58.5 TS%. Definitely efficient despite him being in a slump.

 

[kjironman1]

58.5 TS%. Definitely efficient despite him being in a slump.

It's kind of funny though. I listened to an interview with Clyde Drexler. They asked about today's stats and if they would have made him look closer. He said "All i ever did was look to see if i had more points than shots". Ever since hearing that it is the first thing i look at and at what the rate is?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Sure stats dont mean everything, but Dame does shoot a lot of 3’s and his percentage is pretty bad in comparison to how many he shoots. He’s got “unlimited” range, but I dont really consider him an elite 3 point shooter. An elite scorer no doubt and he can definitely get hot. Id consider him like the 4th best 3 point shooter on the team. CJ, Seth, and ML I think are better shooters than him, obviously none of those guys comes even close to the full skillset that Dame has.

 

[blue9]

For years I've contended that Dame is not a great 3-pt shooter. One - he takes a lot of contested '3's. Two - he takes a lot of step back '3's. Neither of those circumstances result in high shooting percentages over the long term. So perhaps it is about the quality of look versus how well Dame can shoot when he is open. Regardless, he is taking them. There are times Dame gets "Lillard Time" hot that keeps his average up but those are offset by many nights of well below average 3-pt shooting given the volume he takes. In 18 games so far this season, 8 games have looked like this:

2-7
2-10
2-7
2-9
2-7
1-7
3-10
1-6

Of course there have been 'good' nights that offset that but 8 games out of 18, he is shooting .238 from 3-pt range. That is a fairly large percentage of games where there is abject brick laying.

Dame needs to shoot....but given the types of shots he is often taking, I've long submitted that there might be a better look created somewhere else if .238 is what is coming out of those shots some nights.

And before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch that this is a 'Dame-hater' post, try again. But there is a reality to his career 3-pt shooting percentage....whether it is because of the types of shots he takes (more likely) or that he just isn't as good of a consistent shooter as we would like to think he is.

Totally agree. I actually really hate watching Dame come down and launch long/contested 3s - it's bad basketball. But I do like Dame and think he's the best Blazer ever (except for Sabas!). He just needs a good coach who will let him know when he's taking garbage shots and hold him accountable if he continues to take them.