Game Thread GAME# 5: BLAZERS @ JAZZ - NOVEMBER 4, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 6:00 PM (PST), KGW

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 Regular Season Record
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
2 - 2 (1-1 Road)
UTAH JAZZ
2 - 1 (0-0 Home)




____________STARTERS____________

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS RAUL NETO

SG

C.J. MCCOLLUM VS RODNEY HOOD

SF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS GORDON HAYWARD

PF

MEYERS LEONARD VS DERRICK FAVORS

C

MASON PLUMLEE VS RUDY GOBERT





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WHEN: 6:00 PM, WEDNESDAY, 11/4/2015

WHERE: VIVINT SMART HOME ARENA, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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

FRAZIER , CRABBE , CONNAUGHTON , MONTERO

HARKLESS , VONLEH , DAVIS , KAMAN

UTAH JAZZ

BURKE , BURKS , MILLSAP , JOHNSON

INGLES , BOOKER , LYLES , WITHEY



INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Cliff Alexander (left knee): OUT
Gerald Henderson (left hip): OUT
JAZZ
Danté Exum (left ACL surgery): OUT


HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- QUIN SNYDER




BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday marks the first of four regular season matchups between the Trail Blazers and Jazz in 2015-16.

• Damian Lillard led Portland in scoring against Utah last season with 23.8 points per game on 50.0% shooting from the field (35-70 FG).

• The Trail Blazers won each of their four regular season games against Utah in 2013-14, marking the fi rst time in franchise history that Portland has swept the Jazz in a regular season series.

• The Trail Blazers are 6-2 against the Jazz over the past two seasons after winning just one game in the eight games prior from 2011-12 to 2012-13.

• Portland has won three of its past four away games against the Jazz, after going just 3-15 in Utah dating back to 2004-05.

• After starting the season with three straight games on the road, Wednesday will mark Utah’s home-opener for the 2015-16 season. The Jazz have dropped their past two home-opening games.

• The Trail Blazers have defeated the Jazz in the past two series-openers.

• Portland was 11-5 against fellow Northwest Division opponents in 2014-15 (1st in NW division), while the Jazz were 9-7 against fellow Northwest Division foes (3rd in division).

• The Trail Blazers won both of their preseason games against the Jazz this season. In the most recent game on Oct. 18 in Portland, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 58 points on 23-of-50 shooting (8-19 3-PT).

• Damian Lillard and Utah guard Trey Burke teamed up to win the 2014 Taco Bell Skills Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Jazz lead, 95-78
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 58-29
AT THE JAZZ: Jazz lead, 66-20

JAZZ' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES



GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[riverman]

Another top notch game thread ! Well done!

 

[Draco]

Utah is much better than the TWolves so this'll be a tough game. Gobert was hot defensively last year, as was this whole squad post Kanter, but Rudy hasn't been as dominant now that teams have film and adjusted to him. Can Meyers finally have a good game? This is a more traditional frontcourt matchup which might be better for him. Dame has had big games in Salt Lake; his college in Ogden is just a few miles north. Will Aminu continue his freakish energetic play?

Unfortunately I think this is a loss. If we can get a win it'll be impressive and get us a winning record half way through the first double digit games of the season. So we'd always have that.

Go Blazers!

 

[Chris Craig]

It's gonna be one hell of a running game

 

[PDXFonz]

I need Gobert and Hayward to play well. I also need CJ and Aminu to play well. If those 4 things happen then I don't care what the outcome is!

 

[Darkwebs]

Incredulous! Yet again, this is a special night for our opponent. This is their home opener!

How does this keep happening to us? Now the Jazz are gonna come out fired up, and we'll have to try to withstand their early energy.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Incredulous! Yet again, this is a special night for our opponent. This is their home opener!

How does this keep happening to us? Now the Jazz are gonna come out fired up, and we'll have to try to withstand their early energy.

Anyone die? Having a number retired? These 40min delays are fun.

 

[Sinobas]

I wonder why they're starting Raul Neto. Never heard of him.

 

[Draco]

I wonder why they're starting Raul Neto. Never heard of him.

Rasta probably knows about him. I heard the name before think he's a good third string euro PG but has some real experience and a big opportunity with Exum injured this year.

 

[Draco]

Anyone die? Having a number retired? These 40min delays are fun.

Lillard will give a 30min speech for now being a Weber St alum.

 

[mook]

I wonder why they're starting Raul Neto. Never heard of him.

Jazz starting point guard is basically professor of Defense of the Dark Arts.

 

[Trackjack]

With both of there bigs don't like to come out on defense it time for Myers to put up or take a seat.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Tough game, another coach who is better than Stotts.
I wonder if Mayers will get another break, will be weird if he does.

 

[kjironman1]

Here we are at the 5 game point and there are some very revealing things about the Trailblazers to this point of the season. There are also some things we all knew. They are young and they are unpredictable. The things we are seeing that we were not so sure about seems to be the play of Harkless and Aminu. To this point i have been pleasantly surprised by a few things. I like the hustle and rebounding Aminu is bringing he seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He also seems to be excelling in Portland's offensive scheme. He has pretty much tripled his output from a year ago in Dallas. His Per 36 min is much better across the board. If this keeps up Cuban will be kicking himself.

Harkless is slowly showing he was also a quality pickup. His numbers from Orlando have doubled. This seems to be the product of opportunity as much as growth. This is a good situation for him. shooting 40% from 3 pt has been a real treat for us to see. He is much more stable than i expected.

The Jazz have been dominant thus far on defense and the main reason is Rudy Gobert. This guy might be DPOY if this keeps up? Rim protection and blocked/altered shots are his forte. His work helps all over the court for the Jazz. Because they know he is there they play aggressive defense on the perimeter and it causes havoc for opposing teams. The answer for the Blazers will be to get him out of the paint.

Portland has just the weapon to get Gobert out of the paint ....Meyers Leonard! Meyers just got by the Deadline and all that should now be behind him. There has been essentially a week since the injury so maybe his shot will fall? Honestly this guy could have a huge game. If he can hit some early outside shots everything will be easier for the Blazers. Both Dame and CJ will have some room to work. Plumlee and Aminu will be able to get to the rim as well. To this point Leonard has not been effective but there is no time like the present for that to change. Vonleh might also be able to get his shot going and have an impact but his tendency to try to put the ball on the floor has him as a weakness when it comes to turnovers. Vonleh also seems to get lost on defense too often. He is very young so maybe they should afford him the same growing space any project needs. I don't see "Bonehead" type mistakes just inexperience.

Ed Davis will also need to have a big game tonight. The rebounding edge goes to the Jazz but if he can keep it close the Blazers could be in this game at the end. Davis is another pleasant surprise and his motor is non stop. Now Ed...Go shoot some free throws please.

Blazers are getting another team on their "Home Opener" so expect another long introduction type ceremony and a hot start for the home team. The Jazz are a huge question this year and they are also another divisional opponent. Getting a win on the road will be very tough. Sure would be nice!

Go Blazers!

Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

[kjironman1]

Tough game, another coach who is better than Stotts.
I wonder if Mayers will get another break, will be weird if he does.

Quinn Snyder????
Better than Stotts?
Am i missing something here?

 

[kjironman1]

I wonder why they're starting Raul Neto. Never heard of him.

Exum is done for the season and Burke seems to be playing better with the second unit. They are simply splitting the time.

 

[kjironman1]

Gobert was hot defensively last year, as was this whole squad post Kanter, but Rudy hasn't been as dominant now that teams have film and adjusted to him.

Think again....Through 3 games he already has 11 blocks and is averaging over 13 rebounds over 4 offensive. He is on pace to get the DPOY without even working hard.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html

 

[Blazers Roy]

Quinn Snyder????
Better than Stotts?
Am i missing something here?

Snyder read his offense like an open book last season. Maybe it will be different without LMA getting the ball on every offense.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Jazz have not played since Saturday so they have had 3 days to get ready for us. Plus it is the first home opener in a couple of seasons in which the fans are excited about their team again. The energy in the building is going to be abundant. If the Blazers keep it close I will be surprised.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I wish HackerCP would come on here and say we have no chance.

 

[BBert]

I wish HackerCP would come on here and say we have no chance.

As long as it isn't that homer JinxCP.

 

[Draco]

Think again....Through 3 games he already has 11 blocks and is averaging over 13 rebounds over 4 offensive. He is on pace to get the DPOY without even working hard.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html

Well good point; I'd argue they've played the 6ers, Pacers, Pistons so those are tainted stats. I wasn't saying he was average; just hadn't looked like the monster from last season when I watched Utah.

It will be interesting tonight how Gobert matches up with Meyers, athletic dribbling Plumlee, or small ball units. I could certainly see us playing Aminu/Harkless at PF and pushing the tempo.

 

[Draco]

Snyder read his offense like an open book last season. Maybe it will be different without LMA getting the ball on every offense.

Well they did that to every opponent last season. Utah was one of the most dominant all time defenses in the history of the NBA over the second half.

 

[illmatic99]

Raul Neto?

Expecting a big night from Dame again.

 

[KingSpeed]

Blazers roster is better top to bottom. Should be an easy win. If Jazz keep it close, I will be surprised.

 

[riverman]

Should be a good game! Go Blazers!

 

[PDXFonz]

Blazers roster is better top to bottom. Should be an easy win. If Jazz keep it close, I will be surprised.

Are you freaking....oh wait, it's you.

 

[PDXFonz]

From practice yesterday. Stotts is the man!

 

[magnifier661]

Hot fucking dog we got another doozy!!! I won't post until after the game to keep the streak going! See ya after you fucktards

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Hot fucking dog we got another doozy!!! I won't post until after the game to keep the streak going! See ya after you fucktards

The greatest trick the devil ever played was making Mags think he is a game thread jinx.

Hail Satan!