Game Thread GAME# 2: BLAZERS @ PACERS - OCTOBER 20, 2017 - FRIDAY, 4:00 (PDT), NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2017-18 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
1 - 0
(1-0 Road)
INDIANA PACERS
1 - 0
(1-0 Home)


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

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS DARREN COLLISON

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS VICTOR OLADIPO

SF

MAURICE HARKLESS VS BOJAN BOGDANOVIC

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS THADDEUS YOUNG

C

JUSUF NURKIC VS MYLES TURNER


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WHEN: 4:00 PM, FRIDAY, 10/20/2017

WHERE: BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE, INDIANAPOLIS, IN

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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

NAPIER , CONNAUGHTON , WILCOX

TURNER , LAYMAN , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , DAVIS , LEONARD

INDIANA PACERS

JOSEPH , YOUNG , STEPHENSON

WILKINS , POYTHRESS , LEAF

SABONIS , ANIGBOGU , JEFFERSON



INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Zach Collins (gastroenteritis): QUESTIONABLE
C.J. Wilcox (right knee): QUESTIONABLE
Noah Vonleh (right shoulder): OUT

PACERS
Glenn Robinson III (left ankle surgery rehab): OUT
Edmond Sumner (left knee surgery rehab): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- NATE McMILLAN



PACERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Friday’s game marks the first of two regular season matchups between the Trail Blazers and Pacers in the 2017-18 season.

• LAST SEASON: Portland and Indiana split the 2016-17 season series, 1-1.

• The Trail Blazers have defeated the Pacers in five of the last six games between the two teams dating back to the 2014-15 season.

• In two games against the Pacers in 2016-17, Damian Lillard averaged 30.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 9.5 assists.

• CJ McCollum recorded 34 points (12-22 FG, 7-11 3-PT), four rebounds, four assists, and three blocked shots in his last game at Indiana on Dec. 10, 2016. The seven three-pointers represent a career high.

• Maurice Harkless tied his 2016-17 season-high with 23 points against the Pacers on Nov. 30, 2016.

• Damian Lillard has scored 20 or more points in nine of his ten career games against the Pacers.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 52-34
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 33-10
AT THE PACERS: Pacers lead, 24-19

 

[theprunetang]

I can't believe Nate is still coaching a team in the NBA.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

I can't believe Nate is still coaching a team in the NBA.

The Gerald Ford of coaches

 

[BlazerBeav]

The game in Indiana that we blew last year may have been the low point of the season for me. Please kill them, Blazers.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I can't believe they scored 140 tonight. The two ex OKC players went 7-7 (Sabonis) and 6-12 (Oladipo)
Maybe they save Pritchard's job after all.

 

[THE HCP]

AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[THE HCP]

At least give me a chance FAMS!!!!!

 

[ripcityboy]

That new logo is great. Because we all know that basketball rules the state of Indiana. The problem is that none of those teams are the Pacers.

 

[Trackjack]

I watch some of that game tonight and there was know defense what I saw from either side. Tonight was Indiana home opening so they properly won't be so high for Fri. If we play the type of D like we tonight it should be a win for us.

 

[Jade Falcon]

One thing's for sure......Indiana is not Phoenix. This is going to be a FAR tougher game than going up against a leader-and-coachless Suns.

 

[Further]

I can't believe Nate is still coaching a team in the NBA.

I expect the pacers to stumble and Nate to get the axe in 4-6 weeks

 

[Further]

Nates no mo cheeks

 

[theprunetang]

I expect the pacers to stumble and Nate to get the axe in 4-6 weeks

That's exactly what will happen.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I can't believe Nate is still coaching a team in the NBA.

I can't believe a Nate McMillan coached team scored 140 points in regulation.

Oh, never mind. They played BRK, so it doesn't really count.

BNM

 

[theprunetang]

I can't believe a Nate McMillan coached team scored 140 points in regulation.

Oh, never mind. They played BRK, so it doesn't really count.

BNM

I almost added that to my post.

 

[Blazer4ever]

They actually have a pretty solid team, noone amazing but solid players at least throughout the starting 5, but I'm hoping we'd be up and ready for this game and bring the W

 

[mook]

I can't believe they scored 140 tonight. The two ex OKC players went 7-7 (Sabonis) and 6-12 (Oladipo)
Maybe they save Pritchard's job after all.

It's really astonishing to think that talent led by Nate McScribbles put up those kind of numbers.

 

[illmatic99]

I'll be there

 

[BrunoSOC]

Good Cj is back, he will torch them

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Early Story Line:
Turner and Nurkic are both top contenders for Most Improved. In this game they go head-to-head as they play the same position.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We have the advantage across the board, including coaching. Should win this one

 

[TBpup]

I can't believe they scored 140 tonight. The two ex OKC players went 7-7 (Sabonis) and 6-12 (Oladipo)
Maybe they save Pritchard's job after all.

Doing that against BRK is like Connaughton blowing up against PHX. Nice, but what happens when they play a real team?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

The Big Nurk and Turner going at it? I see some tension brewing.

 

[Chris Craig]

I can't believe Nate is still coaching a team in the NBA.

Me either

 

[Pinwheel1]

Doing that against BRK is like Connaughton blowing up against PHX. Nice, but what happens when they play a real team?

Yeah they won't score 140 again this season. But would you have guessed before the game that they could even score that against the Nets? Brooklyn does have players that some on this board have wanted for the Blazers....because of their D. (Carroll, Hollis Jefferson, Mozgov)

 

[Trackjack]

I don't think turner is strong enough to handle Nurk inside. Defense they are terrible so we should be able to score and it come down to that our defense should put us in the win column.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

CJ just compared Indiana this year to Portland from a couple years ago after Lamarcus left. Unheralded, under-the-radar, a lot of guys itching to prove themselves, and an intriguing mix of youth and vets.

Interesting corollary, and definitely a reason to be wary of this team tomorrow night.

 

[Chris Craig]

The Big Nurk and Turner going at it? I see some tension brewing.

I was thinking for a second he had some beef with Evan...Then I realized Myles Turner is Indiana's center

 

[Mr. Robot]

Early Story Line:
Turner and Nurkic are both top contenders for Most Improved. In this game they go head-to-head as they play the same position.

Myles Turner is a PF who plays as a C for IND

 

[blue9]

This is going to be a FAR tougher game than going up against a leader-and-coachless Suns.

Every game of basketball played by anyone, anywhere, for the rest of human history, will be a tougher game than last night's game.