Game Thread GAME# 31: SPURS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 20, 2017 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2017-18 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
20 - 10
(6-8 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
16 - 14
(7-8 Home)

______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DeJOUNTE MURRAY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

DANNY GREEN VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

RUDY GAY VS EVAN TURNER

PF

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

PAU GASOL VS JUSUF NURKIC

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (PST), WEDNESDAY, 12/20/2017

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

---- SAN ANTONIO SPURS ----

MILLS , FORBES , WHITE

PAUL , GINOBILI , HILLIARD

ANDERSON , BERTANS. , LAUVERGNE


---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

NAPIER , CONNAUGHTON , HARKLESS

LAYMAN , SWANIGAN , VONLEH

COLLINS , DAVIS , LEONARD



INJURIES
SPURS
Kawhi Leonard (rest): OUT
Tony Parker (rest): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
C.J. Wilcox (right knee rehab): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

GREG POPOVICH --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL SPURS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday’s game is the first of three regular season meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Spurs during the 2017-18 season.

• LAST SEASON: Portland and San Antonio split the season series in 2016-17, 2-2.

• The Trail Blazers have won at least two games against the Spurs in four of the last five seasons.

• Damian Lillard averaged 26.0 points (46.3% FG, 30.8% 3-PT, 90.9 FT), 4.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in two games against San Antonio during the 2016-17 season.

• CJ McCollum averaged 23.7 points (45.1% FG, 42.9% 3-PT, 95.0% FT), 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in three games against the Spurs last season.

• In one game against the Spurs with Portland last season, Jusuf Nurkic notched 16 points (7-18 FG, 2-5 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block.

• Kawhi Leonard averaged 28.3 points (61.7% FG, 62.5% 3-PT, 94.4% FT), 4.0 re- bounds, 2.7 assists and 1.67 steals in three games against Portland last season.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Spurs lead, 82-81
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 51-30
AT THE SPURS: Spurs lead, 52-30

​

 

[Scalma]

START COLLINS. START VONLEH. MOVE AMINU WHERE HE BELONGS. FUCK

 

[Darkwebs]

START COLLINS. START VONLEH. MOVE AMINU WHERE HE BELONGS. FUCK

 

[Mediocre Man]

The refs cost us this game thread

 

[Strenuus]

The refs cost us this game thread

Like clockwork.

 

[Mr. Robot]

to answer the poll question:

I dont give a fuck about LaMarcus, Im indifferent (I never liked him in the first place), but I dont really understand why fans in the NBA boo their former players... I mean, if they played great and made fans happy, that should be appreciated and they have every right to leave elsewhere if thats what they want... so I dont blame him for joining SAS, he wouldnt win anything here, perhaps he wont do it in SAS also, but they certainly give him better shot at championship

but as far as Im concerned, thats two way street, fans should appreciate players like that and those players should appreciate fans who supported them through all the years, you cant just throw that away and that goes for both fans and players

I dont support what KD did, he left one contender for other where hes gonna win multiple rings, I dont respect that... if he played in some team thats non contender and then join GSW, I wouldnt mind it, but like this, its just a bitch move, he betrayed his former fans

 

[Mr. Robot]

last night was another good game for the Blazers and thats what happens when you share the ball, getting all players involved, not just the big three... we had couple games like this, but I want to see them doing it on regular basis... Dame proved he can play like this and I want him to stay like this, I want CJ to become like yesterdays Dame

its not that hard really, just share the ball, show some movement on the floor and good things will happen

 

[Mr. Robot]

I dont undestand why Vonleh isnt getting minutes lately, is it cause of Collins... thas bad Terry, play both of them

 

[GrandJury]

Why can’t we win all the time like the rockets? What are they doing differnt?

You guys said Harden is overrated

Why can’t we win like them all the time??

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Why can’t we win all the time like the rockets? What are they doing differnt?

You guys said Harden is overrated

Why can’t we win like them all the time??

Coaching? Ball movement? Supporting cast? Better floppers at the guard spots? Lots of reasons. Harden's excellence (and he really is a great player, better than anyone on the Blazers) is just one of them.

 

[blue9]

You guys said Harden is overrated

I'm sure some people have said that. And if they did, it's probably because his defense has been so damned awful.
Offensively I think everyone can agree that he's amazingly talented. But that doesn't change the fact that he's a disgrace to the game of basketball and that his antics take away from his otherwise amazing talent.

In other news: Fuck James Harden!

 

[blue9]

I dont undestand why Vonleh isnt getting minutes lately, is it cause of Collins... thas bad Terry, play both of them

It's not because of Collins, it's because of Tater Totts/Aminu. If Terry Trump wasn't such a moron he'd play Aminu at SF, opening minutes for both Vonleh/Collins at PF. There is zero reason they both can't get consistent minutes.

 

[Mr. Robot]

It's not because of Collins, it's because of Tater Totts/Aminu. If Terry Trump wasn't such a moron he'd play Aminu at SF, opening minutes for both Vonleh/Collins at PF. There is zero reason they both can't get consistent minutes.

yeah, Vonleh doesnt deserve that, lets hope Terry Stotts will come to his senses

 

[THE HCP]

to answer the poll question:

I dont give a fuck about LaMarcus, Im indifferent (I never liked him in the first place), but I dont really understand why fans in the NBA boo their former players... I mean, if they played great and made fans happy, that should be appreciated and they have every right to leave elsewhere if thats what they want... so I dont blame him for joining SAS, he wouldnt win anything here, perhaps he wont do it in SAS also, but they certainly give him better shot at championship

but as far as Im concerned, thats two way street, fans should appreciate players like that and those players should appreciate fans who supported them through all the years, you cant just throw that away and that goes for both fans and players

I dont support what KD did, he left one contender for other where hes gonna win multiple rings, I dont respect that... if he played in some team thats non contender and then join GSW, I wouldnt mind it, but like this, its just a bitch move, he betrayed his former fans

Fans reaction to a players return, always has to do with their departures. If it was smooth they get cheered for, plain and simple

 

[Jon]

anyone wanna take a guess at the free throw numbers? ill guess 34-6 spurs.

 

[riverman]

The refs cost us this game thread

This game thread hasn't been to the line for half a game

 

[riverman]

I voted it's time to stop booing...better for all the fans to turn their backs on the court in a moment of silence when he's announced....maybe a few fans could chant....y'know...y'know..y'know

 

[Gronk Brady]

I voted it's time to stop booing...better for all the fans to turn their backs on the court in a moment of silence when he's announced....maybe a few fans could chant....y'know...y'know..y'know

Why would you not boo him... he screwed the franchise out of valuable assets by giving false hope he would stay when he knew he was leaving... screw that guy

 

[riverman]

Why would you not boo him... he screwed the franchise out of valuable assets by giving false hope he would stay when he knew he was leaving... screw that guy

booing is predictable...uncomfortable silence with no eye contact fits his personality so much more....and yeah....fuck him....it's a Lamarcus who? response

 

[blue9]

Why would you not boo him... he screwed the franchise out of valuable assets by giving false hope he would stay when he knew he was leaving... screw that guy

But at least he didn't re-sign with us! That would have been even worse. I boo him for being a bitch. I cheer him for GTFOing!

 

[e_blazer]

It's not because of Collins, it's because of Tater Totts/Aminu. If Terry Trump wasn't such a moron he'd play Aminu at SF, opening minutes for both Vonleh/Collins at PF. There is zero reason they both can't get consistent minutes.

What part of Chief’s ball handling makes you think he can play small forward?

 

[Scalma]

What part of Chief’s ball handling makes you think he can play small forward?

Ask all the coaches that had him playing predominantly small forward. Besides, why does he need to be a ballhandler? We have two ball dominant guards.

 

[Strenuus]

Why can’t we win all the time like the rockets? What are they doing differnt?

You guys said Harden is overrated

Why can’t we win like them all the time??

You honestly asked this... which means you -think- our team is as good as the rockets? and you say OUR expectations are too high? Wow.

 

[riverman]

What part of Chief’s ball handling makes you think he can play small forward?

He's improved a lot this season...no reason to think his ball handling won't improve as well....if he gets more burn at SF he'll get more comfortable with the ball but really it's about guarding the Lebrons and Durants of the league ...that's where he's a huge asset...Chief is still young...he's not a finished player in his prime yet....I like what I've seen from him at a fraction of the ET money

 

[Strenuus]

to answer the poll question:

I dont give a fuck about LaMarcus, Im indifferent (I never liked him in the first place), but I dont really understand why fans in the NBA boo their former players... I mean, if they played great and made fans happy, that should be appreciated and they have every right to leave elsewhere if thats what they want... so I dont blame him for joining SAS, he wouldnt win anything here, perhaps he wont do it in SAS also, but they certainly give him better shot at championship

but as far as Im concerned, thats two way street, fans should appreciate players like that and those players should appreciate fans who supported them through all the years, you cant just throw that away and that goes for both fans and players

I dont support what KD did, he left one contender for other where hes gonna win multiple rings, I dont respect that... if he played in some team thats non contender and then join GSW, I wouldnt mind it, but like this, its just a bitch move, he betrayed his former fans

You do realize LMA said he wanted to go down as "the best blazer ever" and then never told anyone he wanted to leave and just left.

It's not really that hard to understand.

 

[dviss1]

Fans reaction to a players return, always has to do with their departures. If it was smooth they get cheered for, plain and simple

It's not plain and simple at all. Drexler demanded to be traded and we traded him for a bowl of steam. He left us VERY unceremoniously.

I was pissed at Drex (as a bunch of people STILL are) and he's never been booed.

 

[dviss1]

What part of Chief’s ball handling makes you think he can play small forward?

His turnovers are way down and even @blue9 can admit that he looks way more confident handling the ball and making decisions.

 

[riverman]

It's not plain and simple at all. Drexler demanded to be traded and we traded him for a bowl of steam. He left us VERY unceremoniously.

I was pissed at Drex (as a bunch of people STILL are) and he's never been booed.

Good point...Drexler pissed me off as much as LA ever did

 

[riverman]

and then never told anyone he wanted to leave and just left.

I don't think he told anyone much of anything beyond that false promise....but really that door swings both ways...I don't think loyalty kept a guy like Will Barton from getting shopped...Lamarcus didn't give a shit what the fans thought or his teammates...he was sullen his whole last season here...Neil just trusted him to re-sign and had a backup plan if he didn't....Neil showed loyalty to him at the expense of trading him for an allstar...he fucked Neil and Paul over at the last minute...shit happens...it's not like he was out in the community like Jerome Kersey or Terry Porter or even Steve Blake....he wanted to go home..he went home

 

[dviss1]

I don't think he told anyone much of anything beyond that false promise....but really that door swings both ways...I don't think loyalty kept a guy like Will Barton from getting shopped...Lamarcus didn't give a shit what the fans thought or his teammates...he was sullen his whole last season here...Neil just trusted him to re-sign and had a backup plan if he didn't....Neil showed loyalty to him at the expense of trading him for an allstar...he fucked Neil and Paul over at the last minute...shit happens

CJ got Barton traded.