Game Thread GAME# 66: BLAZERS @ HEAT - MARCH 18, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 4:30 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

VS

WHEN: 4:30 PM (Pacific), WEDNESDAY, 3/18/2015​

WHERE: American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

BLAKE , McCOLLUM , CRABBE , GEE

WRIGHT , FREELAND , LEONARD , KAMAN

MIAMI HEAT

CHALMERS , NAPIER , JOHNSON , DRAGIC

WALKER , ENNIS , BEASLEY , ANDERSEN



INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Wesley Matthews (ruptured left Achilles’ tendon): OUT
HEAT
Chris Bosh (blood clot): OUT
Josh McRoberts (right meniscus surgery ): OUT





HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- ERIK SPOELSTRA




BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Wednesday marks the second and final regular season game between the Trail Blazers and Heat in 2014-15.

• Despite having lost two consecutive games in Miami, Portland is still 18-7 against the Heat on the road.

• Portland defeated Miami 99-83 at the Moda Center on Jan. 8, behind game-highs of 24 points (11-20 FG) and 12 rebounds from LaMarcus Aldridge.

• In that game, the Trail Blazers outscored the Heat by 21 in the second half (56-35), after failing to lead at all through the first two quarters.

• Portland committed seven turnovers against Miami on Jan. 8, tied for its lowest turnover total of the season (set twice).

• Portland’s 16-point victory over Miami snapped the Heat’s three-game winning streak over the Trail Blazers. Portland is 2-4 against the Heat since the start of the 2011-12 season.

• LaMarcus Aldridge has scored 20+ points in eight consecutive games against the Heat (24.3 ppg during that time).

• Dwayne Wade’s 38-point performance against Portland on Mar. 8, 2011 is the most points scored against the Trail Blazers by any Heat player (in a regulation game) in franchise history

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 34-18
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 16-11
AT THE HEAT: Trail Blazers lead, 18-7

HEAT'S OFFICIAL GAME NOTES



GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[Darkwebs]

Reserved

 

[Strenuus]

Revenge game. Don't piss off the Blazers, refs.

 

[MAS RipCity]

This has to be an LA/RoLo game inside.

 

[Strenuus]

This has to be an LA/RoLo game inside.

I'm worried about Whiteside.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I'm worried about Whiteside.

Attack him and get him in foul trouble or go after the other defender down low.

 

[kjironman1]

Look at those graphics will ya? Fantastic job Darkwebs!
Miami is absolutely not the same team the Blazers beat in January. So many changes at the beginning of the season for the Heat had them searching and trying to find answers. Honestly how many teams could lose a player like James and not come away struggling a bit? Without James some of the offensive issues became more prevalent. Mario Chalmers was underwhelming at best and starting Chris Anderson at center you better have some powerful wing play.

Since the trade bringing in Goran Dragic and then bringing in Whiteside and getting him into the starting lineup Miami has made some noise. Even with the loss of Bosh this team is starting to find itself a bit and Wade has had superb games in the month of March. We will have to watch Hassan Whiteside. This guy can protect the rim and rebound with the best. It seems that this team is not only playing better but making a playoff push. If they can show they are still a viable contender Riley might be able to swing some free agents and avoid stinking for a few years and building through the draft.

I'll take the Blazers starting unit against most any team including the Heat. However, Dragic always poses a few problems for them. He is cleaver and quick. He shoots well and does that same drive in around the basket and back out that Tony Parker does. Seems to make things out of nothing and the Blazers get caught flat footed or they don't show patience and they foul him. Being patient and knowing this guy is looking for an outlet will pay big dividends. He is not going to play above the rim. I'm doing everything in my power not call this guy "White" but he does play that way and if the shoe fits....

Blazers have a few of there own matchup advantages. Numbers wise Batum vs Haslem looks like a wash but i feel the way Nic has been playing the Blazers have the edge here due to Batum's defensive ability. It also is pretty easy to see Aldridge holds the same advantage he has against most teams. This one a little bigger due to not playing vs Bosh. I see some switching here. They will probably slide Deng over. That is why i put Batum against Haslem. Hard to say for sure what Spoelstra might do. Really in this game i would look for a healthy amount of Chris Anderson trying to make things difficult for the Blazers. Blazers should counter with Freeland against Anderson if Freeland is up to it?

Afflalo is going to have his hands full against Wade. Wade is big and strong enough to manipulate defenders and is always a threat to create a shot. Don't look for big numbers from AAA.

My pick tonight is Lillard. Blazers are going to be a headache for the Heat and Lillard will have the opportunity to be the MIGRANE. Time to bring it on DAME!

Go Blazers!

kjironman is a fan!!!

 

[illmatic99]

Hope we put em away early. As long as our guys aren't too hungover from the champagne n campaigning last night, we should be good.

 

[kjironman1]

85 degrees and sunny in Miami.

 

[riverman]

Get back on track tonight! Go good guys!

 

[Boise Blazer]

Ugh ... Dragic

 

[Strenuus]

Did rice just say Dragic had 99 assists against the cavs last game?

 

[riverman]

Did rice just say Dragic had 99 assists against the cavs last game?

Might have said 99 but we all know he can't say Dragic

 

[riverman]

I'm thinkin' Rice would probably go with Dog itch

 

[riverman]

Who will get Whiteside ejected tonight?

 

[BBert]

He doesn't say Drodge-Itch?

 

[kjironman1]

Don't like Rice's keys to the game. Probably not going to hold Wade under 18. Lillard doesn't get calls on the road. The Blazers seldom lead after the first quarter on the road.
Does not paint a good picture at all....

 

[BBert]

Who will get Whiteside ejected tonight?

Sick Joel on him.

 

[riverman]

Dang Deng

 

[riverman]

LA said get that weak stuff out of here!

 

[PCmor7]

Nic's become far too predictable on the pick-and-roll. He always looks to pass, even if he's the one that ends up open.

 

[riverman]

Good start!

 

[riverman]

Nic's become far too predictable on the pick-and-roll. He always looks to pass, even if he's the one that ends up open.

Another predictable Batum DUNK!

 

[riverman]

LA from deep!

 

[Strenuus]

They called THAT goaltending on Miami? Silver must be in their ear... that wasn't as obvious.

 

[riverman]

AAA!!

 

[kingslayer]

LOL Kaman that wasn't smart at all

 

[Strenuus]

Knew that was gonna get blocked when Kaman put it on the deck.

 

[riverman]

Good first qtr!

 

[kjironman1]

Aldridge just scored his 5000 basket. Only other player to do it for the Blazers is Clyde.