Game Thread GAME# 4: BLAZERS @ MAGIC - OCTOBER 25, 2018 - THURSDAY, 4:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
2 - 1
(0-0 Road)
ORLANDO MAGIC
2 - 2
(1-1 Home)


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

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS D.J. AUGUSTIN

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS EVAN FOURNIER

SF

JAKE LAYMAN VS JONATHAN ISAAC

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS AARON GORDON

C

JUSUF NURKIC VS NIKOLA VUCEVIC



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WHEN: 4:00 PM, THURSDAY, 10/25/2018

WHERE: AMWAY CENTER, ORLANDO, FL

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

HARKLESS , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , LEONARD

------ ORLANDO MAGIC------

BRISCOE , CAUPAIN , GRANT

FRAZIER Jr. , SIMMONS , ROSS

IWUNDU , JEFFERSON , BIRCH

MARTIN , BAMBA


INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
NONE
MAGIC
Timofey Mozgov (sore right knee): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- STEVE CLIFFORD

OFFICIAL MAGIC'S GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Thursday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Magic during the 2018-19 season. Portland swept the season series against Orlando in 2017-18, 2-0.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers beat the Magic on the road, 95-88, on Dec. 15. Damian Lillard had 21 points (7-16 FG, 3-6 3-PT, 4-4 FT), two rebounds and four assists for Portland while Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 26 points (12-20 FG), 14 rebounds and one block.

• Damian Lillard averaged 23.5 points (43.2% FG, 50.0% 3-PT, 87.5% FT), 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.00 steal in two games against the Magic last season.

• CJ McCollum averaged 22.0 points (44.4% FG, 44.4% 3-PT, 100% FT), 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.50 steals in two games against Orlando in 2017-18.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Nikola Vucevic averaged 18.5 points (54.8% FG, 33.3% 3-PT), 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 32-25
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 18-11
AT THE MAGIC: Series tied, 14-14

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Dear Blazers,
Last game was so disappointing.

Spoiler

Here's a chance to redeem yourselves.

Spoiler

 

[James lamphear]

On paper we should win the game but we need to clean the crap up from last game.

 

[TBpup]

As in years past, the Blazers can beat anyone..... and lose to anyone. So frustrating.

 

[BonesJones]

Caught you slipping @Darkwebs!!!

Mo Bamba is not Mareese Speights.

 

[Chris Craig]

On paper we should win the game but we need to clean the crap up from last game.

On paper we should have won the last one.

 

[Chris Craig]

So far Stauskas has been the better player of the two, but it is still very early in the season.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I really like Stauskus more than I thought I would and it has very little to do with his shooting. He can dribble drive, set up team mates, doesnt force bad shots, his one on one defense isnt too bad, his team defense is pretty bad, but most of the team has looked a little lack luster on defense as a unit...

Yes the scoring is nice and sets up his other skills but overall he’s been better than I thought. I know its 3 games but seth to me is a lot like CJ both the good and the bad... Im sure he will have his big games here or there but when he isnt scoring he’s kind visible for all the wrong reasons...

 

[Shaboid]

I'll be at the game, can't wait! My brother and I will be in section 104 with all our gear on, keep your eyes peeled boys!

 

[Shaboid]

I'll be at the game, can't wait! My brother and I will be in section 104 with all our gear on, keep your eyes peeled boys!

And girls! Especially the girls!

 

[Scalma]

Curry hasn’t played in a year so it’s not surprising that his minutes have been somewhat reduced. They’ll gradually increase, and then we’ll see his full impact. But yeah, Stauskas looks like the better player. It’s early, but he’s seeing more shots per game than he’s ever seen and has the freedom to create he hasn’t had since college. Just last night you saw him beat both Otto Porter and Kelly Oubre off the dribble, going to the basket. And he’s unselfish. If CJ wants to keep being CJ, then Stotts should grow a pair and switch the two. It’ll never happen, but if it was someone like Pop, it would. I think it’s hilarious that CJ spent the offseason talking about how he needs to average more assists to be considered an all star, but through three games he’s averaging one fewer.

 

[illmatic99]

I keep forgetting that Seth has a baby with Doc Rivers' daughter. Not that it's relevant, but #nbagossip

Wonder if he and Austin exchanged pleasantries last night.

https://twitter.com/CallieRivers25

 

[Chris Craig]

Stauskas is also playing pretty decent defense.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Stauskas is also playing pretty decent defense.

His team defense leaves a lot to be desired at this point, but one on one I think he’s been ‘ok’.

 

[Hoopguru]

I really like Stauskus more than I thought I would and it has very little to do with his shooting. He can dribble drive, set up team mates, doesnt force bad shots, his one on one defense isnt too bad, his team defense is pretty bad, but most of the team has looked a little lack luster on defense as a unit...

Yes the scoring is nice and sets up his other skills but overall he’s been better than I thought. I know its 3 games but seth to me is a lot like CJ both the good and the bad... Im sure he will have his big games here or there but when he isnt scoring he’s kind visible for all the wrong reasons...

The league is so offense oriented anymore and many team live and die by the 3 as did Portland last night.
The Wiz are a decent team and they were good last year too until injuries.
I like Kelly O, wish we could acquire him someway. He's got energy and a balanced game.

 

[rotary111]

Nik isn't just a shooter.....

It's nice to finally have someone who likes to PASS the ball even though he could get his own shot off if he wanted to. He may just be having a good run on a team and system that suits him but it's surprising to me another team couldn't figure out how to use his skillset.

 

[Hoopguru]

Nik isn't just a shooter.....

It's nice to finally have someone who likes to PASS the ball even though he could get his own shot off if he wanted to. He may just be having a good run on a team and system that suits him but it's surprising to me another team couldn't figure out how to use his skillset.

I watched him in college and you could tell he has good all around basketball skills. He has fight in him too and he can get to the hoop as good as anyone on the team.

 

[blue9]

Steaksauce has all the makings to be a JJ Redick in this league. Curry has all the makings to be a better Bazz.

 

[rotary111]

I watched a little of the Magic game the other day. Vucevic is killin it. He's still my pick for us to pick up on his last year of his contract and he's in the way of some young bigs they want to develop. Jonathan Isaac is starting to look like he is going to be real good soon.

 

[ripcityboy]

One thing I've noticed about Stauskus is he almost shoots better when he gets the ball from an indirect pass. He kind of jumps into his shot and so when he's off balance and not set, the pass really doesn't make a difference. I think that's a key reason why we need to get him the ball more when the defense is trapping Dame or CJ. He'll shoot well with this team down the stretch.

 

[illmatic99]

This scheduling is interesting. Team flying out today, full free day in ORL tomorrow, Friday night and I'm guessing SAT night after the game in MIA, then up to Indy on Sunday. Gonna be like five nights in Florida for two games.

 

[Labinot41]

As in years past, the Blazers can beat anyone..... and lose to anyone. So frustrating.

Yap, nothing has changed except a better bench

 

[Labinot41]

This is a trap Game. I wouldn't be surprised if we loose this game

 

[kjironman1]

This is a trap Game. I wouldn't be surprised if we loose this game

Not anymore. Pretty sure after last night there will not be a trap game on this road trip.

 

[BBert]

I'll be at the game, can't wait! My brother and I will be in section 104 with all our gear on, keep your eyes peeled boys!

Represent!

 

[THE HCP]

As in years past, the Blazers can beat anyone..... and lose to anyone. So frustrating.

So does this make my 40-42 prediction look good or not?

 

[BBert]

So does this make my 40-42 prediction look good or not?

That prediction looks terrible. Especially if it turns out to be correct.

 

[THE HCP]

This scheduling is interesting. Team flying out today, full free day in ORL tomorrow, Friday night and I'm guessing SAT night after the game in MIA, then up to Indy on Sunday. Gonna be like five nights in Florida for two games.

The HCP is hitting up the Keys on Friday. Swimsuit pics to be shared soon.

 

[Strenuus]

The HCP is hitting up the Keys on Friday. Swimsuit pics to be shared soon.

Blindfolds for the board to be purchased tomorrow.

 

[ripcityboy]

The HCP is hitting up the Keys on Friday. Swimsuit pics to be shared soon.

Oh please.... No.