Game Thread Game #40 - BLAZERS VS KINGS - JANUARY 9, 2022 - SUNDAY - 6:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[Chris Craig]

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STARTERS


Anfernee Simons Norman Powell

Nassir Little Robert Covington

Jusuf Nurkic




De'Aaron Fox Tyrese Haliburton

Harrison Barnes Marvin Bagley III

Damion Jones

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WHEN: JANUARY 9, 2022 - SUNDAY - 6:00 PM (PDT)

WHERE: MODA CENTER, PORTLAND OR



TV BROADCAST



RADIO BROADCAST



____________________________
BENCH

BLAZERS


Cody Zeller Tony Snell

Ben McLemore Dennis Smith Jr

CJ Elleby Greg Brown III

Trendon Watford Keljin Blevins


Damian Lillard CJ McCollum

Larry Nance Jr

KINGS



Buddy Hield Moe Harkless

Alex Len Davion Mitchell

Tristan Thompson Richaun Holmes

Louis King Chimezie Metu

Terence Davis Neemias Queta

Jahmi'us Ramsey Robert Woodward

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INJURIES

KINGS

Rachaun Holmes (Covid) OUT
Chimezie Metu (Covid) OUT
Terence Davis (Ankle) Doubtful


BLAZERS

Damian Lillard (Abs) OUT
CJ McCollum (Lung) OUT
Larry Nance Jr (Knee) OUT


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COACHES


Chauncey Billups


Alvin Gentry

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NOTES

• This is the third of three games between the Blazers and Kings this season.
• The Kings beat the Blazers 124 -121 in the season opener and 125 - 121 on November 24th.
• The Kings lead the 2021-22 season series 2-0
• The Blazers won the 2020-21 season series 3-0
• Ben McLemore was drafted by the Kings with the 7th pick in 2013 and played with the Kings from 2013 - 17 and then again during the 2018-19 season.
• Moe Harkless played for the Blazers from 2015-19

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TRIVIA

The Blazers played the Kings back on March 4th, 2021 winning 123 - 119. He led the Blazers in rebounds with 21 of them.

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​

 

[blazerkor]

For the poll question I initially wanted to go with the second option: no. We shouldn't continue to rest him if he's ready to play. That's if we're looking to trade him which I fucking hope we are. Get him out there and let him show other teams that he is healthy and that without Dame he is a potent offensive weapon that can make a difference to his new team the day after the trade is made.

I'm sure there are a lot of CJ trade possibilities that I don't know about. Maybe a trade is already on the table that Cronin likes and he's just negotiating with other teams that more attractive trades are still a possibility with. If none of the teams that we're talking with about a CJ trade care if they see him on the court again then my answer would be the first option: yes. Keep resting him until the right deal is official.

All of this points to the fact that my real answer is the third option: quick trade him before he gets hurt again. I want CJ gone, even if Dame is going to be out for the majority of the rest of this season with his ab injury for surgery or it just takes that long until an MRI can no longer see any tendinopathy because of rest and rehab. If Dame isn't going to be out for too long I also want CJ gone because those two don't work together.

So the poll question was really tricky and I could go with any of the three answers depending on variables that are unknowns but when all else fails I'll take any answer that has CJ being traded as a definitive part of it.

 

[blazerkor]

We've lost to these guys twice. Once with everyone playing on opening night but Dame playing like a shell of himself because of his injury. Then we lost to them with everyone playing and Dame playing like Dame because of his cortisone shot. The first game of the season they had a healthy Holmes the second game they didn't, they won't have him for this one.

Basically we're playing a team that has shown us that with or without Holmes they can beat us with our entire roster playing. The time they did it without Holmes, Dame was even healthy or at least numbed to the point that he was playing like he was healthy. So with them still having everyone available that was playing last time they beat us and us being without Dame, CJ and Larry... they should kick our asses.

 

[TBpup]

I think the Blazers accidentally get a Lottery damaging win.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

I think the Blazers accidentally get a Lottery damaging win.

Nope. Kings are 2-0 against us when we were healthy. This is a big L. Kings legit want play-in. We don't.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I must have missed the part where Alvin Gentry became the Kings coach.

 

[blazerkor]

I must have missed the part where Alvin Gentry became the Kings coach.

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/21/kings-fire-luke-walton-slow-start-2021-season

 

[Fairly-Hard]

https://www.si.com/nba/2021/11/21/kings-fire-luke-walton-slow-start-2021-season

Been paying little attention to the NBA this year. Even less to the Kings.

 

[THE HCP]

NORM OUT

 

[blazerkor]

NORM OUT

Well since they beat us with Dame, CJ and Norm playing, I would think they would really kick our asses without them.

 

[Blazinaway]

Well since they beat us with Dame, CJ and Norm playing, I would think they would really kick our asses without them.

Covid or other?

 

[blazerkor]

Covid or other?

 

[Scalma]

So who starts for Powell, mclemore?

 

[blazerkor]

So who starts for Powell, mclemore?

Or Snell but that lineup might not be short enough.

 

[Mr. Robot]

nurk about to drop 50

if not, then a career high for sure (career high is 33)

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

So who starts for Powell, mclemore?

Its Blevins Time!

 

[Strenuus]

WERE LOSING OUR UNDERSIZED BACKCOURT SHOULDNT WE BE REJOICING?

oh.. wait.

 

[blazerkor]

WERE LOSING OUR UNDERSIZED BACKCOURT SHOULDNT WE BE REJOICING?

oh.. wait.

I'm pretty sure those of us that complain about our pieces not fitting together aren't advocating for paying CJ and Norm 47M to sit, we would like to get players of relatively similar value who fit better together. For the record, while I do think that there are better fits to share the back court with Dame, I won't be angry if the season ended and we entered next season with Norm starting at shooting guard and with Dame at point guard.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm pretty sure those of us that complain about our pieces not fitting together aren't advocating for paying CJ and Norm 47M to sit, we would like to get players of relatively similar value who fit better together. For the record, while I do think that there are better fits to share the back court with Dame, I won't be angry if the season ended and we entered next season with Norm starting at shooting guard and with Dame at point guard.

I... I was just making a funny.

 

[blazerkor]

I... I was just making a funny.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Billups on the pregame said CJ is ready but they’re waiting for the birth of his child before having him rejoin the team.

 

[Duckhook]

Yes/no - will Nurk have 3 fouls in the 1st qtr? I say yes

 

[Chris Craig]

Billups on the pregame said CJ is ready but they’re waiting for the birth of his child before having him rejoin the team.

In other words the tank is on

 

[BlazerBeav]

So far the ball movement had been pretty good. Nas blowing a couple open corner threes and Nurk rushing his shot being the issues.

 

[illmatic99]

This the first time dame isnt on the sidelines?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I wouldn't take Mac out when he is shooting well.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Gotta say, the effort in the first quarter has been really good. On both ends. Lot of talking from RoCo calling out where guys need to be on defense.

 

[James lamphear]

We shooting 45 percent from the 3 right now hopefully we get some points going to the hoop.

 

[Shaboid]

Both the Blazers and Chargers ahead. Gotta be honest with myself here, they're both probably going to choke.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I know we say it every night, but Simons is just a terrible defender. Getting to the point I just want to see him gone.