Game Thread GAME# 43: HORNETS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 11, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
19 - 21
(5-13 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
25 - 17
(17-7 Home)

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

PG

KEMBA WALKER VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

JEREMY LAMB VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

NICOLAS BATUM VS MOE HARKLESS

PF

MARVIN WILLIAMS VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

BISMACK BIYOMBO VS JUSUF NURKIC

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (PST), FRIDAY, 1/11/2019

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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

-------- CHARLOTTE HORNETS --------

PARKER , GRAHAM , CHEALY

MONK , MACURA , BACON

BRIDGES , KIDD-GILCHRIST

HERNANGOMEZ , KAMINSKY

---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

LAYMAN , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , LEONARD



INJURIES
HORNETS
Devonte' Graham (right ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Cody Zeller (third metacarpal of right hand): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Moe Harkless (left knee soreness): QUESTIONABLE



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

JAMES BORREGO --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL HORNETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

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

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers edged out the the Hornets in overtime, 109-103, at Moda Center on Feb. 8. Jusuf Nurkic led Portland with 24 points (10-14 FG, 4-5 FT) to go with 14 rebounds, four blocks and two steals. Kemba Walker scored 40 points (13-26 FG, 6-11 3-PT, 8-8 FT) to go with three assists and four steals for the Hornets.

• In two games against the Hornets last season, CJ McCollum averaged 23.5 points (48.6% FG, 54.5% 3-PT, 77.8% FT), 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

• Jusuf Nurkic averaged 19.0 points (62.5% FG, 66.7% FT), 9.5 rebounds, 1.00 steal and 2.50 blocks in two games against Charlotte in 2017-18.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Kemba Walker averaged 27.0 points (38.5% FG, 30.0% 3-PT, 100% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.50 steals.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 40-16
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 22-6
AT THE HORNETS: Trail Blazers lead, 18-10

 

[Darkwebs]

After just beating Michael Jordan's old team (when he was a player), Portland now faces his new team (in which he holds majority ownership). And Jordan surely wants you to know it's his team, as he literally brands the Jordan logo on his players (albeit, via a patch in place of the Nike logo) on their jerseys.

The Hornets are the third straight Eastern Conference team Portland will face this week. Overall, the Blazers have been feasting on the East this season, going 11-3. In fact, they've only lost one home game to an Eastern Conference foe (an OT game against Washington, the very first East team they faced this season).

Unlike the Knicks and Bulls who are both 10-win teams, Charlotte is decent, better by a factor of approximately 2 (they have 19 wins). And unlike those tankers the Blazers just faced, the Hornets actually have playoff aspirations and are currently slottted 8th in the East.

This will be the fourth of a six-game road trip for the Hornets, but they will have some respite, as their most recent game was on Tuesday, allowing 2 full days of rest in Portland before their duel against the Blazers. So depending on how rested the Hornets are, this may be a tough game.

But it may not be too hard with the way the Blazers have been balling lately. It's clear Portland is starting to find their groove. They have won: 3 straight games; 5 of their last 6 games; 7 of their last 10 games.

Of course it helps that the Blazers have played 6 of their last 7 games at home, which has enabled them to find plenty of rest and rhythm. This has lead to a Blazers team with much better ball and player movement, as evidenced by the fact that they've had 6 straight games of 20+ assists, and notching over 25 assists in their last 4 games.

However, it wouldn't surprise me if the Blazers fall to the Hornets. All season long, Portland has had trouble sustaining momentum and a win streak. Four wins has been their biggest streak this season. They look to match it in this battle against the Hornets. Stay tuned to see if they succeed.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Looking forward to this matchup. This'll be the first time Lamb's started against CJ. Although I'm kind of not looking forward to it, because I've been touting Lamb all season, so he's going to make either me or CJ look bad.

Hopefully it's me.

 

[Eastoff]

I'm going to this game with my mom and my 2yr old daughter! Section 106 because the ends are cheaper than the middle.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm going to this game with my mom and my 2yr old daughter! Section 106 because the ends are cheaper than the middle.

Don't forget to bring ear protection for the little one. Tundersticks all around you can get very loud.

 

[Scalma]

Tricky poll. My favorite sneaker is the air max, but adidas has a better selection. For sportswear though Nike/Jordan all the way.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'll be the first "other" in the poll, but only because I'm cheap. "Champion" FTW!!

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I'm going to this game with my mom and my 2yr old daughter! Section 106 because the ends are cheaper than the middle.

Have an awesome time! I need to take my kids to a game sometime.

 

[kjironman1]

However, it wouldn't surprise me if the Blazers fall to the Hornets

Where did they find this Darkwebs guy? Not sure i can stand such negativity in the game thread? Is he even a true fan? How could he possibly question the resolve of this team? Not just question it but out right put it in print for all to read? Who has the ban hammer and when is enough enough?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Where did they find this Darkwebs guy? Not sure i can stand such negativity in the game thread? Is he even a true fan? How could he possibly question the resolve of this team? Not just question it but out right put it in print for all to read? Who has the ban hammer and when is enough enough?

 

[42N8Bounce]

I haven’t seen this posted anywhere yet. Thought it was hilarious.

Enjoy!



Competing for all-star votes I guess. Awesome!

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

Streak coming.

 

[Eastoff]

Don't forget to bring ear protection for the little one. Tundersticks all around you can get very loud.

Yeah, we bring them every time. It'll be my 2 year old's 4th or 5th game.

 

[hoopsjock]

I just saw on Rotoworld that Dame is listed as questionable for this game with an elbow injury. I'm guessing he plays because it's his off arm but this isn't good that it is still bothering him enough to possibly miss a game.

 

[KingSpeed]

I think I saw Jeremy Lamb outside a strip club last night.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I just saw on Rotoworld that Dame is listed as questionable for this game with an elbow injury. I'm guessing he plays because it's his off arm but this isn't good that it is still bothering him enough to possibly miss a game.

Quick was on The FAN this afternoon, and said after talking with Dame, there's no way he won't be playing.

 

[BonesJones]

Where did they find this Darkwebs guy? Not sure i can stand such negativity in the game thread? Is he even a true fan? How could he possibly question the resolve of this team? Not just question it but out right put it in print for all to read? Who has the ban hammer and when is enough enough?

I cant tell if youre joking!!!

 

[BonesJones]

Quick was on The FAN this afternoon, and said after talking with Dame, there's no way he won't be playing.

Sad that Quick is our best insider and no one else comes close.

 

[Scalma]

I think I saw Jeremy Lamb outside a strip club last night.

Hey man stop snitchin

(Jk)

 

[Blazer4ever]

This should be an excellent game, very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing Dame guarding Kemba, it's gonna be a challenge but I think Dame is ready. I hope Stotts doesn't manipulate to try and hide him, let him face the challenge.
They have some good players. Batum of course is a legend. But also notice Malik Monk off the bench. Before the draft (a year and a half ago) I thought he was gonna be great. He only now starts to fulfill his potential, an exciting player

 

[kjironman1]

I cant tell if youre joking!!!

Darkwebs must be banned!
Did that help....

 

[kjironman1]

Hey man stop snitchin

(Jk)

Seriously though.

 

[Eastoff]

I think I saw Jeremy Lamb outside a strip club last night.

well I guess that means he's demanding a trade to Portland. He's tasted our finest wares.

 

[kjironman1]

He's tasted our finest wares.

Be careful tasting what they ware in a strip club....

Don't ask why i know that might be a bad idea?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Looking forward to this matchup. This'll be the first time Lamb's started against CJ. Although I'm kind of not looking forward to it, because I've been touting Lamb all season, so he's going to make either me or CJ look bad.

Hopefully it's me.

View attachment 24163

Great, now Dan Sheldon is cracking on me on the radio for liking the idea of trading for Lamb. Really gonna suck for me if CJ goes out and takes Lamb's lunch money tonight.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Great, now Dan Sheldon is cracking on me on the radio for liking the idea of trading for Lamb. Really gonna suck for me if CJ goes out and takes Lamb's lunch money tonight.

Well not all of our ideas are winners heh.

 

[BonesJones]

Darkwebs must be banned!
Did that help....

No!

 

[illmatic99]

How the hell are we a game in the loss column behind the 3rd seed again?

This west, man.

Kemba went apeshit on Dame in Moda last year. Wanted to see a rematch but this would also be a good night to rest Dame given our road trip next week.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

How the hell are we a game in the loss column behind the 3rd seed again?

This west, man.

Kemba went apeshit on Dame in Moda last year. Wanted to see a rematch but this would also be a good night to rest Dame given our road trip next week.

Have you heard an update on Dame? I heard last night he might not play today.

 

[DDolla]

We need to win this game before going up against the number one team in the West Denver