Game Thread GAME# 46: CAVALIERS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 16, 2019 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
9 - 35
(4-18 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
26 - 19
(18-7 Home)

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

PG

COLLIN SEXTON VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

ALEC BURKS VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

RODNEY HOOD VS MOE HARKLESS

PF

CEDI OSMAN VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

TRISTAN THOMPSON VS JUSUF NURKIC

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (PST), WEDNESDAY, 1/16/2019

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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

-- CLEVELAND CAVALIERS --

PAYNE , DELLAVEDOVA , CLARKSON

BLOSSOMGAME , JONES

ZIZIC , FRYE


---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

LAYMAN , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , LEONARD



INJURIES
CAVALIERS
Kevin Love (Left Foot Surgery): OUT
Larry Nance Jr. (Right Knee Sprain): OUT
John Henson (Left Wrist Surgery): OUT
David Nwaba (Left Ankle Sprain): OUT
J.R. Smith (Not With Team): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Moe Harkless (left knee): QUESTIONABLE



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

LARRY DREW --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL CAVALIERS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Cavaliers during the 2018-19 season. The teams split the season seres in 2017-18, 1-1.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers dominated the rebound battle, 50-34, in a 113-105 victory over Cleveland at Moda Center on March 15. CJ McCollum led Portland with 29 points (12-24 FG, 3-10 3-PT, 2-2 FT) to go with three assists while LeBron James had 35 points (15-25 FG, 1-4 3-PT, 4-9 FT), 14 rebounds and six assists for the Cavaliers.

• In two games against the Cavaliers last season, Damian Lillard averaged 24.5 points (42.9% FG, 41.2% 3-PT, 92.3% FT), 1.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.00 steal.

• CJ McCollum averaged 24.0 points (48.8% FG, 37.5% 3-PT, 100% FT), 3.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in two games against Cleveland during the 2017-18 season.

• In his lone game against the Portland with the Cavaliers last season, Jordan Clarkson recorded 14 points (6-12 FG, 1-5 3-PT, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and three assists.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 68-53
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 43-18
AT THE CAVALIERS: Cavaliers lead, 35-25

 

[Darkwebs]

You know how the Blazers games this season has been over by the 3rd quarter. Well, forget that weak sauce; this game is already listed in the books as a win.

Okay, I'm using a bit of hyperbole, but this is as close to a guaranteed win as possible.

Yes, this will be Portland's third game in four nights.
Yes, the Blazers have lost two games in a row.
Yes, the Cavaliers will have two full days to rest and gameplan for the Blazers.
Yes, the Cavaliers just came off a victory against the Lakers and are feeling more confidence than they have in a month.

But .....
Cleveland is THE WORST team in the league right now.
And Cleveland has lost 14 of their last 16 games.
And Cleveland is the worst road team (tied with the Mavs) in the NBA.
And Cleveland is missing a few of their key players (which so many posters on this forum love to point out).
And Portland has won 6 straight games against Eastern Conference foes.
And Portland has done a valiant job of protecting their home floor this season.

I think the biggest factor is that the Blazers will be fired up after just losing two games that were winnable down stretch (if only they could've executed better and made smarter decisions). They will come out hungry for a win in front of their home crowd. And the Cavs (at the organizational level) are tanking hard.

The question for this game isn't "if" Portland wins, but "by how much"?

 

[TBpup]

Eastern conference fodder at home. That is how you turn around a losing streak.

 

[BonesJones]

I'll actually be at the game, but this is a game too easy for even Terry to screw up! Haha.

 

[BonesJones]

I'll actually be at the game, but this is a game too easy for even Terry to screw up! Haha.

And if he does...

 

[blazerkor]

Well at least we got this game. We should and will win this game handily. I'm hoping for a real strong game from CJ, after what he just put up. GO BLAZERS!!!

 

[THE HCP]

Wow, another team missing some of their best players, lucky us.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Wow, another team missing some of their best players, lucky us.

 

[stampedehero]

They are 4-18 as a road team, missing five players, playing us after two road losses. We better win or all hell is going to break loose in the Stott's household.

 

[BonesJones]

Guys make sure you give props to Stotts if he wins this game!

 

[blue9]

Poll response: Who cares.

 

[THE HCP]

If we win this game are we good again?

 

[hoopsjock]

If we win this game are we good again?

Lame as usual...

 

[THE HCP]

Lame as usual...

Serious question. We win a couple games against some lottery teams and people around here got us going to the finals. We lose a couple tough ones and everybody freaks out.

 

[THE HCP]

Lame as usual...

What's "lame" is how certain posters constantly freak out in these game threads. That's what's "lame". What do some on here think of this team and their chances this season? Honestly? We are on pace for 47 or 48 wins.
Do people truly think this team is better than that? Thats 7 more wins than I realistically had them down for.
Do I WANT my favorite team that I've been a fan of my life to win 60 games and get to the finals.....YES. Seems like the ones who blast them the most, predicted the most wins on here. Interesting.

 

[hoopsjock]

Serious question. We win a couple games against some lottery teams and people around here got us going to the finals. We lose a couple tough ones and everybody freaks out.

Except not one person on here thinks we have a chance at the Finals (excluding King). You know that but for some reason continue to post the same lines in every thread. Is it wrong for people to WANT their team to be better than winning against the crappy teams and losing the tough games?

This is a forum. One you claim to be the master of. You also claim to be a basketball junky. How come I rarely see posts actually discussing and breaking down basketball?

 

[kjironman1]

If we win this game are we good again?

Well it depends on if the Coach runs plays the way he should and if they are acceptable to the vocal minority on the "Blazers Official Fan Site".

 

[THE HCP]

Except not one person on here thinks we have a chance at the Finals (excluding King). You know that but for some reason continue to post the same lines in every thread. Is it wrong for people to WANT their team to be better than winning against the crappy teams and losing the tough games?

This is a forum. One you claim to be the master of. You also claim to be a basketball junky. How come I rarely see posts actually discussing and breaking down basketball?

Why would I start now. Interesting how the MVP and most popular/hated member on a basketball forum rarely talks basketball huh? I don’t have to.
And as far as WANTING the team to be better, of course I do. I also WANT a 2018 Audi S8 in my driveway, but wake up and it’s never there.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This exact Cav's team dominated the Lakers in LA on Sunday. They will be be well rested with extra preparation time. And yes we better kill them.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We win a couple games against some lottery teams and people around here got us going to the finals.

Link?

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

No excuses just win this one. Must win game and let’s get prepare for NO on Friday

 

[hoopsjock]

Why would I start now. Interesting how the MVP and most popular/hated member on a basketball forum rarely talks basketball huh? I don’t have to.
And as far as WANTING the team to be better, of course I do. I also WANT a 2018 Audi S8 in my driveway, but wake up and it’s never there.

Dumb analogy. The Blazers could trade for different players, hire a different coach, hire a different GM, or any number of moves that could lead them down the path to a title. You simply wanting a car to magically appear in your driveway isn't possible.

Let me ask you this: If this team isn't good enough to make a title run, why isn't okay to discuss things to make it that way? Should we just be content that they win 40 some games for the 4th year in a row and aren't good enough to make noise in the playoffs? I understand you work for the Blazers and can't say anything about them. However, making up shit about how people view the team is stupid and pointless. There are a lot of great basketball minds in here and I don't think it's wrong to point out specific examples of areas we could improve.

 

[Jon]

Do I WANT my favorite team that I've been a fan of my life to win 60 games and get to the finals.....YES.

the Lakers arent THAT good.

 

[THE HCP]

Dumb analogy. The Blazers could trade for different players, hire a different coach, hire a different GM, or any number of moves that could lead them down the path to a title. You simply wanting a car to magically appear in your driveway isn't possible.

Let me ask you this: If this team isn't good enough to make a title run, why isn't okay to discuss things to make it that way? Should we just be content that they win 40 some games for the 4th year in a row and aren't good enough to make noise in the playoffs? I understand you work for the Blazers and can't say anything about them. However, making up shit about how people view the team is stupid and pointless. There are a lot of great basketball minds in here and I don't think it's wrong to point out specific examples of areas we could improve.

I never said people can’t debate and point out things. That’s what this place is for. It’s just the unrealistic highs and lows of this place is mind blowing. Many on here just set themselves up to be letdown if you ask me. I said 40 wins this season and it looks like we will be better than that. Of course they can make changes, but the constant repetitive bashing of the same player or coach, just gets a little old or lame if you will. If you post the same point about the same person 42 times in one game thread..... just step away for a bit.

 

[hoopsjock]

I never said people can’t debate and point out things. That’s what this place is for. It’s just the unrealistic highs and lows of this place is mind blowing. Many on here just set themselves up to be letdown if you ask me. I said 40 wins this season and it looks like we will be better than that. Of course they can make changes, but the constant repetitive bashing of the same player or coach, just gets a little old or lame if you will. If you post the same point about the same person 42 times in one game thread..... just step away for a bit.

Completely disagree. As a fan I want to see a light at the end of the tunnel. There is going to be bad years and good years. There will be years that they do terrible when they were supposed to be good and years that they surprise us when we thought they'd be bad. However, I think it's important to see growth and an eventual path to contention instead of just being okay with 41-49 wins every year. It has been physically proven that their coaching, lineups, and players are not the right mix for playoff success. At what point is something going to be done about that?

I don't want to look back at Dame's career and think damn he only made it to the 2nd round like 3 times? But no it's okay because we exceeded The HCP's expectations most of those years!

 

[kjironman1]

If you post the same point about the same person 42 times in one game thread..... just step away for a bit.

Maybe 14-16 more times this season even.

42 comments X 16 more losses = 672 more comments saying "Stotts Sucks!"

Yeah... Time to step away for sure.

 

[kjironman1]

Of course the same four people will "Like" all 672 comments so your Like to Comment ratio will be stunning!

 

[hoopsjock]

Maybe 14-16 more times this season even.

42 comments X 16 more losses = 672 more comments saying "Stotts Sucks!"

Yeah... Time to step away for sure.

A good portion of the "Stotts Sucks" comments were actually specific breakdowns of what people don't like about the coaching. How come no one can reasonably argue against the points being made and instead have to resort to these type of posts?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Many on here just set themselves up to be letdown if you ask me.

Nobody did.

 

[THE HCP]

Completely disagree. As a fan I want to see a light at the end of the tunnel. There is going to be bad years and good years. There will be years that they do terrible when they were supposed to be good and years that they surprise us when we thought they'd be bad. However, I think it's important to see growth and an eventual path to contention instead of just being okay with 41-49 wins every year. It has been physically proven that their coaching, lineups, and players are not the right mix for playoff success. At what point is something going to be done about that?

I don't want to look back at Dame's career and think damn he only made it to the 2nd round like 3 times? But no it's okay because we exceeded The HCP's expectations most of those years!

Maybe after all these years I’ve become numb to it all. I had just as much fun during our 20 win season before we drafted LA and BRoy as I did during the 54 win season with a somewhat healthy Greg.