Game Thread GAME# 61: BLAZERS @ TIMBERWOLVES - MARCH 7, 2015 - SATURDAY, 5:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS RICKY RUBIO

SG

ARRON AFFLALO VS KEVIN MARTIN

SF

NICOLAS BATUM VS ANDREW WIGGINS

PF

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS KEVIN GARNETT

C

ROBIN LOPEZ VS NIKOLA PEKOVIC



WHEN: 5:00 PM (Pacific), SATURDAY, 3/7/2015​

WHERE: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

------------------------------------------------------



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

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

BLAKE , McCOLLUM , CRABBE , GEE

WRIGHT , FREELAND , LEONARD , KAMAN

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

LaVINE , BROWN , NEAL , ROBINSON

BUDINGER , PAYNE , DIENG




INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Wesley Matthews (left Achilles’ tendon): OUT
TIMBERWOLVES
Nikola Pekovic (sore right ankle): PROBABLE
Anthony Bennett (sprained right ankle): OUT
Robbie Hummel (suffering a fractured right hand): OUT
Shabazz Muhammad (ruptured ligament of left middle finger): OUT





HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- FLIP SAUNDERS




BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Saturday marks the third of four games between the Trail Blazers and Timberwolves in 2014-15.

• The season series is currently tied 1-1, as the Trail Blazers defeated Minnesota 107-93 in Portland on Nov. 30, and the Timberwolves beat Portland 90-82 in Minnesota on Dec. 10.

• Portland is 25-4 against the Timberwolves dating back to the 2007-08 season. The Trail Blazers have swept five season series during that timespan.

• Since the start of the 2005-06 season, Minnesota has won consecutive games over Portland just twice (most recent: 3/3/12 and 3/7/12).

• The Trail Blazers are ninth in the NBA in scoring (102.3 ppg), while the Timberwolves are ranked 29th in the league in points allowed per game (105.5).

• The Trail Blazers are second in the NBA in rebounding (46.1 reb/game) and have out rebounded opponents in nine of their past 12 games. Minnesota is 24th best rebounding team in the league (41.8) and has been out rebounded in three of its past four games.

• Minnesota is 25th in the NBA in shooting (43.3%), while the Trail Blazers have limited their opponents to 43.2% shooting (third in NBA).

• Damian Lillard scored a game-high 23 points in Portland’s last game against Minnesota on Dec. 10.

• Wesley Matthews averaged 20.5 points on 57.6% shooting in two games against Minnesota this season. Matthews also made 10 of his 20 three-point attempts against the Timberwolves (50.0%).

• In 17 games against the Timberwolves as a member of the Trail Blazers, Wesley Matthews is shooting 44.0% from beyond the arc (55-125). Matthews has knocked down at least three 3-pointers in 10 of those 17 games.

• Arron Afflalo scored a season-high 34 points on 11-of-18 shooting (4-6 3-PT, 8-8 FT) against the Timberwolves on Jan. 5, 2015 as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

• In Portland’s 107-93 win over Minnesota on Nov. 30, Terry Stotts became the eighth coach in Trail Blazers history to notch 100 wins as the head coach of the franchise.

• The Trail Blazers won three of their four games against the Timberwolves in 2013-14.


• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 72-28
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 40-11
AT THE TIMBERWOLVES: Trail Blazers lead, 32-17

TIMBERWOLVES' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES



GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[Darkwebs]

Reserved

 

[stampedehero]

Kevin Garnett vs LA. Like that. I hope Dame puts Rubio in the last time zone. Shut down on Kevin Martin and we smile to the airport.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

This is the game we turn it up and dont turn it down till we get jewlery. I almost feel bad for Minnesota, but then again, its sort of fitting they be our first victims after the loss of wes. They took roy and tried to take batum, they need to be destroyed.

 

[stampedehero]

Side Note::: Look at Lopez' hair. Color it yellow with white center and you have a man head on fire. He is the only guy with a hair style suitable for instantanous combustion. If he scores over average and becomes nuts I would like to see that on post game forum....

 

[rasheedfan2005]

fuck the splash bros, Rolo and lamonster are turning into the smash bros in honor of wessy. #win4Wes

 

[kjironman1]

I like the watch graphics. Pretty cool!
This game is all about working on a new rotation and making sure you stay healthy. The Timberwolves are pretty much playing as bad as any team in the league and are the dwellers of the Western Conference. Comes at a pretty good time considering they also get a few days off before the Houston game to practice a bit.

The matchup to watch is Andrew Wiggins vs Nic Batum. These guys are as even as it comes when you look at SF's both are long and quick both are streaky but in this case Batum brings a little more to the table when it comes to team play. He will get more assists usually and tonight should be no different.

A new look will be K-Mart going up against Afflalo. Really the Blazers should not see a giant drop with the starters because AAA brings great defense and a quickness that matches Matthews. He runs the court a bit better than Wes and is also a threat to shoot the 3. The problem comes when the Blazers now go to their bench again. The real question here that i see is Gee? Scouting reports have him as a tenacious defender that has a strong post up game. This guy takes the ball to the hoop. He shoots the long ball when it's open but if he has a chance he is going strong to the hole. The dynamics of the Blazers offense might change a bit without Matthews but it might not be all bad. Look to see what Stotts does tonight for a idea on rotations. CJ was playing well and scoring well before the trade and he should be in the mix. He who plays defense these last 21 games is going to see the court.

There just is not a lot to say right now about this game. The Blazers should take this so anything less would be difficult to swallow at this point. What are they going to do? How are they going to respond? Wes is scheduled for his surgery on Wednesday. Don't look for him on the sidelines until after that but just having him there will be a giant boost.

Pick tonight is Stotts! Time for the coach to become the guiding light and lead his team.

Go Blazers!

kjironman is a fan!!!

No i am not putting much into Garnett vs Aldridge. LA should own him....
Send KG home crying!

 

[Strenuus]

We gotta make up the horrific loss we had in their building earlier this season. That was just flat out horrible.

 

[maxiep]

It will be interesting to see how we come out. Will we play like our heart has been ripped out or like we're spitting nails? I pray it's the latter, but I fear it will be the former.

 

[kjironman1]

It will be interesting to see how we come out. Will we play like our heart has been ripped out or like we're spitting nails? I pray it's the latter, but I fear it will be the former.

Have faith or be GONE!
Well it sounded good in my head....

 

[magnifier661]

I will, once again, be with you guys in spirit. I have worship practice again tonight, so I won't be able to watch the game until after.

 

[EGame]

I will, once again, be with you guys in spirit. I have worship practice again tonight, so I won't be able to watch the game until after.

Don't worry, I'm here with them in whole. they are in good hands.

 

[Strenuus]

Don't worry, I'm here with them in whole. they are in good hands.

Son.

Of.

A.

Bitch.

 

[KingSpeed]

Damn. Wolves have a decent starting lineup. We better take this seriously.

 

[Strenuus]

Let's go Blazers!!!

 

[OneLifeToLive]

it will be interesting to see who is in the rotiation. Hoping for more Gee.

 

[Strenuus]

LA with the J.

 

[EGame]

i dont know how that happened but ill take it.

 

[Strenuus]

The right call. Good job Refs.

 

[Darkwebs]

Yay. Nic is still looking good

 

[EGame]

does the crowd think this is an ncaa game?

 

[Strenuus]

BATUM! Love it.

 

[Strenuus]

does the crowd think this is an ncaa game?

I hate that white stripes thing... Seattle Mariner fans do it too.... this isn't a frat party, shush!

 

[Darkwebs]

Nic is heating up. Love seeing this

 

[maxiep]

I had forgotten just how terrifying Pekovic appears. He's like the biggest, baddest Russian gangster ever created.

 

[Strenuus]

Garnett could play for 2 more years. lol.

 

[Strenuus]

Batum. Good lord, you french tickler!

 

[Strenuus]

Ugh. I don't mind the face up J... but not the fade away.

 

[Darkwebs]

Pek is dominating Rolo on the glass

 

[Strenuus]

Damn LA, what the hell kind of dribbling was that? Good D by garnett, better shot.