Game Thread GAME# 48: BLAZERS @ BUCKS - JANUARY 31, 2015 - SATURDAY, 5:30 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

PROBABLE STARTERS

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS BRANDON KNIGHT

SG

WES MATTHEWS VS KHRIS MIDDLETON

SF

NICOLAS BATUM VS JARED DUDLEY

PF

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO

C

MEYERS LEONARD VS JOHN HENSON







WHEN: 5:30 PM (Pacific), SATURDAY, 1/31/2015​

WHERE: BMO Harris Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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BENCH

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

BLAKE , MCCOLLUM , BARTON , CRABBE

WRIGHT , CLAVER , ROBINSON , KAMAN

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

GUTIERREZ , BAYLESS , MAYO

MARTIN , O'BRYANT






INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
⦁ Joel Freeland (right shoulder strain): OUT
⦁ Robin Lopez (fractured right index finger): OUT
BUCKS
⦁ Ersan Ilyasova (Right groin strain): QUESTIONABLE
⦁ Zaza Pachulia (Right calf strain): QUESTIONABLE
⦁ Larry Sanders (NBA suspension): OUT
⦁ Jabari Parker (Left knee surgery): OUT
⦁ Damien Inglis (Right ankle surgery): OUT
⦁ Kendall Marshall (Right knee ACL tear): OUT





HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- JASON KIDD




BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Saturday marks the second and final game between the Trail Blazers and Bucks in 2014-15.

• Milwaukee has allowed the sixth fewest points per game in the NBA this season (97.2 pts/game), while Portland has surrendered the eighth lowest scoring average at 97.4 points.

• The Bucks have held opponents to 32.9% shooting from beyond the arc this season (4th best in NBA), and the Trail Blazers are sixth in the league in three-point shooting at 37.0%.

• The Trail Blazers are the fourth best rebounding team in the NBA (45.5 reb/game), while Milwaukee is ranked 25th with 41.0 reb/game.

• Despite Milwaukee leading the all-time series record 66-50, Portland has won 31 of the past 49 contests against the Bucks dating back to 1989-90.

• Portland defeated Milwaukee, 104-97, earlier this season behind 29 points and seven assists from Damian Lillard (10-18 FG, 4-7 3-PT).

• In that game, LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds (six offensive), marking his fifth double-double in the past seven games against Milwaukee.

• Thomas Robinson scored 15 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in his first career start on Dec. 17 against Milwaukee. He became the third Trail Blazer in franchise history to record 15+ points and 15+ rebounds in his first career start (Lucas, Walton).

• LaMarcus Aldridge has scored 20+ points in each of his past seven games against the Bucks while also hauling in at least 12 rebounds in five of the past seven contests between these two teams.

• The Trail Blazers swept the Bucks, 2-0, last season and are one win away from sweeping their third season series against Milwaukee in the past five years.

• Terry Stotts spent two seasons as Milwaukee’s Head Coach, compiling a 63-83 record (.432).

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Bucks lead, 66-50
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 33-25
AT THE BUCKS: Bucks lead, 41-17

BUCKS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES



GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[Darkwebs]

Game 48, POR @ MIL (24-22, 10-10 home), 1/31/15
MIL: 3rd in Central Division, 6th in East

Our Last Game: L @ ATL, 105-99, 1/30/15

Atlanta overcame 37 points by Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge to win its 18th straight game by overpowering the Trail Blazers in the final period for a 105-99 victory Friday night.
The big lead for each team was only six points. There were four ties in the fourth quarter before the Hawks took the lead for good midway through the period on a basket by Al Horford, who had 17 points.
Portland, which has lost four of five, led after each of the first three quarters but was outscored 36-25 in the final period.
"If I could explain it then it wouldn't happen," said Aldridge of the fourth-quarter letdown. "It's part of the season. We just have to stick with it."
Aldridge had a game-high 11 rebounds. Wesley Matthews had 16 points and Damian Lillard had 13 points with 11 assists and six turnovers. ... Portland is 18-5 against the Eastern Conference, including two losses to Atlanta.

Their Last Game: W @ ORL, 115-100, 1/29/15

For the first time in more than a decade, the Milwaukee Bucks could celebrate after a game in Orlando.
Jerryd Bayless scored 19 points, Jared Dudley and Khris Middleton had 17 apiece and the Bucks ended a 17-game losing streak in Orlando with a 115-100 victory on Thursday night.
The Bucks never trailed and placed seven players in double figures, including all five starters. Brandon Knight had 16 points and eight assists, and O.J. Mayo scored 13 points in Milwaukee's first road victory in the series since Dec. 29, 2004.
Milwaukee had 29 assists on 45 field goals and shot 51.7 percent for the game, including 12 of 25 from behind the 3-point line.
"I think our players take pride in moving the ball, making the next pass," Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. "I think they really enjoy playing with one another. That is why you see the ball move. They take pride in being part of the play."
Starting center Zaza Pachulia, who could miss a week with a calf injury, joined fellow starters Jabari Parker (knee) and Larry Sanders (suspension) on the sideline. His replacement, John Henson, has 12 points and 11 rebounds in his first start this season.
"Obviously we miss those guys," Bayless said. "We really do need them, but everybody stepped up their play and did the best they could to help the team win."

Injuries: POR - Lopez (out), Freeland (out),
MIL - Pachulia (out), Ilyasova (questionable), Marshall (out), Parker (out), Sanders (suspension)

Matchups:
Lillard v. Knight (17.9ppg. 5.2apg, 4.2rpg)
Matthews v. Middleton (10.7ppg, 4.0rpg)
Batum v. Dudley (7.6ppg, 3.0rpg)
Aldridge v. Antetokuonmpo (11.4ppg. 6.0rpg, 2.3apg)
Kaman v. Henson (6.3ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.6blk/g)

Power Rankings:
NBA.com (17) Pace: 96.3 (14) OffRtg: 101.2 (23) DefRtg: 99.2 (2) NetRtg: +2.0 (13)
The Bucks' new starting lineup (with Ersan Ilyasova back at the four) was a plus-14 in three games, but they're 1-3 since returning from London because their bench has lost its mojo (especially on defense). Now, with just two games separating sixth and seventh place, Tuesday's game in Miami is pretty important. Milwaukee won the first two meetings.

ESPN: (18) Brandon Knight is generating zero All-Star buzz. Even in the East. But maybe he should be: Knight is one of only eight players averaging 18+ PPG, 5+ APG and 2+ RPG; four of the other seven are All-Star starters ... with James Harden, Damian Lillard and Russ Westbrook all likely All-Star reserves.

FoxSports.com: (17) The defense continues to shine, and it’s the reason Milwaukee probably will make the playoffs in the East. But to be respected as a real threat in the postseason, the Bucks need to ignite an offense that’s ranked in the bottom third of the league.

Link to GrandpaBlaze's Prediction Game
Link to MediocreMan's Over/under Game

POR 105
MIL 95

 

[EGame]

We need balanced scoring with our starting 5. That is what they were all about last year was how balanced our scoring was. Of course, it is fun when LMA or Dame goes off for a huge scoring night and I'm not saying it won't result in wins, but this is getting pretty stupid that LMA had two huge games while the rest of our players can barely score in the teens. Our play resembles that of a lottery team wondering if we will get the number 1 pick in the draft.

Sadly our balanced scoring really is dependent on three guys now and days: Aldridge, Wes, and Dame. Batum sucks and should fuck off to rest and Kaman is better suited for his 6th man role. And now that Wes and Dame are MIA we are no better than Philly or the Knicks.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I know it's still January, but this is my first "Must Win" game of the season for the Trail Blazers. We desperately need this game and I hope we come out looking like a team that's hungry for victory.

 

[KingSpeed]

I guarantee victory.

 

[Strenuus]

I guarantee victory.

Crap. Why watch now?

 

[KingSpeed]

We need balanced scoring with our starting 5. That is what they were all about last year was how balanced our scoring was. Of course, it is fun when LMA or Dame goes off for a huge scoring night and I'm not saying it won't result in wins, but this is getting pretty stupid that LMA had two huge games while the rest of our players can barely score in the teens. Our play resembles that of a lottery team wondering if we will get the number 1 pick in the draft.

Sadly our balanced scoring really is dependent on three guys now and days: Aldridge, Wes, and Dame. Batum sucks and should fuck off to rest and Kaman is better suited for his 6th man role. And now that Wes and Dame are MIA we are no better than Philly or the Knicks.

All 5 starters scored in double figures last season. Problem now is Lopez is out and Batum is hurt. Puts more pressure on Lillard and Aldridge who are averaging around the same as last year.

 

[Aussie Blazer!]

Hey kingspeed you at the game? If so could we get some pics please? 

 

[Aussie Blazer!]

If I see Nico rub his sore wrist one more time......

 

[riverman]

One game at a time fans! We got this one! I hope Nic has a triple double tonight.

 

[riverman]

Hope Wes sets a franchise record from deep and Kaman gets 20/10

 

[Strenuus]

One game at a time fans! We got this one! I hope Nic has a triple double tonight.

Dude, he's gotta rest. Even if he gets a triple double, he's been a liabilty. You have to see it. We already have a full mags, we can't adorn you with a name too.

 

[jlprk]

Thanks for replacing that necky picture of Stotts, Darkwebs.

 

[riverman]

Meyers starting! I like it!

 

[Strenuus]

Beibs starting. The way it should be given the circumstances.

Batum Starting. horrible.

 

[jlprk]

Dude, he's gotta rest. Even if he gets a triple double, he's been a liabilty. You have to see it. We already have a full mags, we can't adorn you with a name too.

He has to rest for his French games in the summer

 

[riverman]

Dude, he's gotta rest. Even if he gets a triple double, he's been a liabilty. You have to see it. We already have a full mags, we can't adorn you with a name too.

I don't believe in negative affirmations..I'm cheering for the team 1-15..it's a game, live tonight. I get the criticism but I'm not chiming in on it.

 

[riverman]

He has to rest for his French games in the summer

You just want a big dose of Crabbe, admit it!

 

[KingSpeed]

Leonard starting!!! Good move, Stotts!

 

[Strenuus]

Dunno how to embed tweets still, but Rolo may return in the next 5 games.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Well, one way or another, we'll see if Biebs starting is a disaster or if a bunch of forum posters know more than our offensive genius coach.

 

[KingSpeed]

Hey kingspeed you at the game? If so could we get some pics please? 

I wish. I'm back in NYC now. I'll be watching my TV.

 

[Darkwebs]

Leonard vs Henson will be interesting. Some wanted us to draft Henson over Meyers

 

[BrianFromWA]

Dunno how to embed tweets still, but Rolo may return in the next 5 games.

naw, you did it right.

 

[Strenuus]

I don't believe in negative affirmations..I'm cheering for the team 1-15..it's a game, live tonight. I get the criticism but I'm not chiming in on it.

He needs to rest. That's not negative, it's just a good idea.

 

[riverman]

Thanks for replacing that necky picture of Stotts, Darkwebs.

At leaast Stotts doesn't have the Flip Saunders craned neck strain

 

[Strenuus]

Well, one way or another, we'll see if Biebs starting is a disaster or if a bunch of forum posters know more than our offensive genius coach.

It's more because Kaman needs to be on our second unit, and that's the only option we really have.

 

[riverman]

There you go Meyers! Nice dish by Nic...

 

[BrianFromWA]

Leonard's already not popped out on the high post when Batum was looking for him, and spacing was a bit too close to Wes on the last possession.

That said, Nic looks spry tonight.

 

[riverman]

OK, Nico 1 dish, 1 board and 2 pts early