Game Thread GAME# 62: BLAZERS @ CELTICS - MARCH 2, 2016 - WEDNESDAY, 4:30 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
33 - 28
(14-16 Road)
BOSTON CELTICS
36 - 25
(20-10 Home)





_____________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS ISAIAH THOMAS

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS AVERY BRADLEY

SF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS JAE CROWDER

PF

NOAH VONLEH VS AMIR JOHNSON

C

MASON PLUMLEE VS JARED SULLINGER


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




WHEN: 4:30 PM, WEDNESDAY, 3/2/2016

WHERE: TD GARDEN, BOSTON, MA

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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



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

ROBERTS , HENDERSON , CRABBE , CONNAUGHTON

HARKLESS , LEONARD, DAVIS , KAMAN

BOSTON CELTICS

ROZIER , SMART , HUNTER , YOUNG

TURNER , MICKEY , JEREBKO , ZELLER


INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
NONE
CELTICS
James Young (Calf): QUESTIONABLE
Kelly Olynyk (Right Shoulder Sprain): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- BRAD STEVENS



CELTICS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday marks the first of two regular season matchups between the Trail Blazers and Celtics in 2015-16. Boston is the only team that Portland has not played yet this season.

• Portland and Boston split the two-game season series in 2014-15, with each team winning on the road.

• The Trail Blazers have won four of their past five games against the Celtics, after going 1-13 against Boston from 2/10/06 to 11/30/12.

• Portland has won two straight road games against the Celtics.

• Damian Lillard scored 21 points in his most recent game against Boston (1/22/15), marking the fi rst time that he has ever scored 20+ points in six career games vs. the Celtics. Lillard averaged 12.8 points through his first five games against the Celtics.

• Mason Plumlee has scored in double figures in four of his seven career games against the Celtics. Plumlee has two double-doubles, both of which have come in his past three contests vs. Boston.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Celtics lead, 63-43
IN PORTLAND: Celtics lead, 28-25
AT THE CELTICS: Celtics lead, 35-18

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Man this is gonna be tough

 

[BlazerBeav]

I look at Boston's starting lineup and can't figure out how they're 10 games over .500. I guess playing in that horrible division helps.

 

[AquaXI]

We will have arrived when we make them Irish cry!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I would prefer to see Dame and CJ take the first few shots of the game to get warmed up. Watching Aminu and Vonleh hoist early 3's is not doing much for me. Let them get warmed up on put backs. Its is gong to be a high scoring event and we need to get off to a good start.

 

[Trackjack]

It will tough especially on the 2nd of back to back. Boston been playing good ball but so have the Blazers. So should be a good game for us to see where we at this time of the season. Boston right now is in the playoff so it should be a good game.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

This should be a great game. We might see these guys in the Finals in a few years.

 

[BonesJones]

Celtics with the Tacoma/Seattle backcourt! My second favorite backcourt in the league!

 

[Draco]

 

[Draco]

I somehow voted for Meyers.

Boston often plays two bigs. They have a great defense and may give us trouble in the half court where Meyers shooting and spacing helps. We are playing the 4th game in 5 nights and won't have the energy to beat Boston at a high tempo game which is the style Harkless excels at.

So go with Meyers tonight. If Boston goes small or Meyers is abused defensively switch Harkless in. After tonight give the majority of the minutes going forward to Mo.

 

[Draco]

I look at Boston's starting lineup and can't figure out how they're 10 games over .500. I guess playing in that horrible division helps.

I bet many think the same of our roster. The West isn't clearly superior as it has been in other years.

Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder have been their two best players. They play excellent defense and very efficient offensively. Then they also have a borderline Allstar. The team is deep. As with us it seems like a real advantage to field a team with no bad players in the 9 man rotation. Stevens sets up great plays.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

we have such a good bench i have no issues with playing 10 deep and lowering starter minutes a hair. im already glad lillard isnt on the top 5 in minutes played board when im watching league pass i saw his face too much the last couple years. instead i see him on ppg and 3pointers made trackers, i like that better. as long as we keep leads or even extend them, spread the minutes out, keep everyone fresh and in rhythm.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I bet many think the same of our roster. The West isn't clearly superior as it has been in other years.

Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder have been their two best players. They play excellent defense and very efficient offensively. The team is deep. As with us it seems like a real advantage to field a team with no bad players in the 9 man rotation. Stevens sets up great plays.

yep i wouldnt get over confident with this team, this is the scariest game on this trip imo.

 

[Draco]

It will tough especially on the 2nd of back to back. Boston been playing good ball but so have the Blazers. So should be a good game for us to see where we at this time of the season. Boston right now is in the playoff so it should be a good game.

Boston isn't just a playoff team; they're 3rd in the conference and at times have battled Toronto/Cleveland as the second best team in the East.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Say what you want about Olynyk but he's an amazing player. Him not playing against us should make it easier, but the win would not be as sweet

 

[Draco]

Say what you want about Olynyk but he's an amazing player. Him not playing against us should make it easier, but the win would not be as sweet

We're playing the 4th game in 5 nights on the road while they're resting at home. Winning tonight would be more sweet and impressive than beating Olynyk after an off day in Portland.

 

[illmatic99]

I would prefer to see Dame and CJ take the first few shots of the game to get warmed up. Watching Aminu and Vonleh hoist early 3's is not doing much for me. Let them get warmed up on put backs. Its is gong to be a high scoring event and we need to get off to a good start.

Really? BOS is one of the best defensive teams in the league. And Avery Bradley always gives Dame fits.

I'm guessing they'll put Bradley and Crowder on Dame and CJ, while letting Isiah roam on Aminu et al. Have a feeling it's gonna be a long night. Their strengths just highlight our weaknesses.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Really? BOS is one of the best defensive teams in the league. And Avery Bradley always gives Dame fits.

I'm guessing they'll put Bradley and Crowder on Dame and CJ, while letting Isiah roam on Aminu et al. Have a feeling it's gonna be a long night. Their strengths just highlight our weaknesses.

Yep. If they win this game, it'll be as impressive as any win this season outside the GSW game.

 

[illmatic99]

Wouldn't be mad if Terry rested Dame for the night, tbh.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Really? BOS is one of the best defensive teams in the league. And Avery Bradley always gives Dame fits.

I'm guessing they'll put Bradley and Crowder on Dame and CJ, while letting Isiah roam on Aminu et al. Have a feeling it's gonna be a long night. Their strengths just highlight our weaknesses.

OK let me rephrase it, based on Boston's last 20 games...they score a lot of points. So we better get off to a good start so we can keep up with them.

 

[Natebishop3]

Say what you want about Olynyk but he's an amazing player. Him not playing against us should make it easier, but the win would not be as sweet

Nothing about Olynyk is "amazing."

Curry is amazing. LeBron is amazing. Durant is amazing. Olynyk is serviceable.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Nothing about Olynyk is "amazing."

Curry is amazing. LeBron is amazing. Durant is amazing. Olynyk is serviceable.

Olynyk's hair is amazing!

 

[Natebishop3]

Olynyk's hair is amazing!

You misspelled *appalling.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

You misspelled *appalling.

Amazingly bad is still amazing. So the poster was right.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Really? BOS is one of the best defensive teams in the league. And Avery Bradley always gives Dame fits.

I'm guessing they'll put Bradley and Crowder on Dame and CJ, while letting Isiah roam on Aminu et al. Have a feeling it's gonna be a long night. Their strengths just highlight our weaknesses.

sounds like the same thing that was said about NY. I really think we have developed to the point where we beat these guys with ease.

 

[B-Roy]

sounds like the same thing that was said about NY. I really think we have developed to the point where we beat these guys with ease.

Bradley has legit annoyed Dame his entire career.

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/prac-030116-celtics-have-history-of-cooling-off-hot-lillard

25.8% on threes against Boston his entire career.

 

[tester551]

I have a bad feeling about tonight. I think this will be similar to the 76s game earlier in the year.

 

[Draco]

I love how Bill Simmons daughter calls him "father Olynyk"

 

[Draco]

sounds like the same thing that was said about NY. I really think we have developed to the point where we beat these guys with ease.

Did you compare Boston to NY?

Thats like comparing the Clippers and the Kings. Yeah they're in the same region of the country but thats about it.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Did you compare Boston to NY?

Thats like comparing the Clippers and the Kings. Yeah they're in the same region of the country but thats about it.

well, in a way. NY was supposed to have one of the best Ds in the league. Fact is the past three teams were all touted as being great D teams.