Game Thread GAME# 67: MAGIC @ BLAZERS - MARCH 12, 2016 - SATURDAY, 7:30 PM (PST), KGW

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 Regular Season Record
ORLANDO MAGIC
28 - 36
(11-20 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
34 - 32
(20-12 Home)



______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

C.J. WATSON VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

VICTOR OLADIPO VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

EVAN FOURNIER VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

PF

AARON GORDON VS NOAH VONLEH

C

DEWAYNE DEDMON VS MASON PLUMLEE


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




WHEN: 7:30 PM (PST), SATURDAY, 3/12/2016​

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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



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

ORLANDO MAGIC

NAPIER , CUNNINGHAM, MARBLE

HEZONJA , ILYASOVA , NICHOLSON , SMITH

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

ROBERTS , HENDERSON , CRABBE , CONNAUGHTON

HARKLESS , LEONARD, DAVIS , KAMAN



INJURIES
MAGIC
Brandon Jennings (Achilles soreness): OUT
Elfrid Payton (sprained right elbow): OUT
Nikola Vučević (strained right groin): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
NONE


HEAD COACHES

- VS –

SCOTT SKILES --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL MAGIC'S GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Saturday marks the second and final regular season matchup between the Trail Blazers and Magic in 2015-16.

• Orlando defeated Portland, 102-94, at the Amway Center on Dec. 18. In that game, Tobias Harris (25 pts, 12 reb) and Nikola Vucevic (25 pts, 11 reb) each recorded double-doubles for the Magic.

• Portland has won five of its past six games against the Magic at the Moda Center (three-game winning streak).

• These teams have split the season series in each of the past three seasons. Portland was the last team to sweep the two-game series (2010-11).

• CJ McCollum scored a game-high 27 points (11-19 FG) at Orlando on Dec. 18, and has now scored in double figures in back-to-back games against the Magic (21.0 ppg). McCollum scored a combined four points in his first three career games against Orlando.

• Damian Lillard’s 19 points against Orlando on Dec. 18 represents his highest scoring total in seven career games against the Magic. Lillard has dished out 10 or more assists in three of those seven contests.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 28-24
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 16-10
AT THE MAGIC: Magic lead, 14-12

​

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Why is the choice on the poll, "out of the playoff picture" when the more accurate wording should be "blessed with a lottery pick" ?

 

[Darkwebs]

Why is the choice on the poll, "out of the playoff picture" when the more accurate wording should be "blessed with a lottery pick" ?

LOL. Good point. I'll edit it.

 

[Blazer4ever]

This should be ours but we shouldn't overlook this team. If we come out flat or without energy we'd be in trouble. It's an important game for our seedings, need to not stumble here before we play in OKC two days later

 

[Tunchi]

Blazers have now lost 4 of the last 5 games. Almost 5 in a row really but fortunately we pulled off an OT win on Tuesday.

This is all comes back to my question.

Are we sure we really need to make the playoffs? Smh

 

[Strenuus]

Blazers have now lost 4 of the last 5 games. Almost 5 in a row really but fortunately we pulled off an OT win on Tuesday.

This is all comes back to my question.

Are we sure we really need to make the playoffs? Smh

Yes.

 

[kjironman1]

Trap Game. Very tired now and the Magic will want this for sure. Hope they can pull it together and get this one. Don't lose to the Warriors Twice.

 

[kjironman1]

Blazers have now lost 4 of the last 5 games. Almost 5 in a row really but fortunately we pulled off an OT win on Tuesday.

This is all comes back to my question.

Are we sure we really need to make the playoffs? Smh

Still not sure they will but yes i believe if they can they should. Very tough next two weeks in front of them.

 

[Strenuus]

Coming from someone who was pro tank until about a month ago, making the playoffs would be a good thing. I don't think we're finding another CJ (in terms of a good fit for a position) in the teens that often.

 

[Strenuus]

And WTF is this 7:30 tip again. WHY? What is the purpose of a 7:30 tip that ISN'T national television?!?!

 

[42N8Bounce]

Blazers have now lost 4 of the last 5 games. Almost 5 in a row really but fortunately we pulled off an OT win on Tuesday.

This is all comes back to my question.

Are we sure we really need to make the playoffs? Smh

It's certainly a fair question, and a tough one. My take:
1. I enjoy watching the team win. I have a hard time rooting for them to lose for any reason.
2. Chip and a chair. If you don't make it to the table, you have no chance of winning. I enjoy the playoffs. Yes, that may mean getting our buts kicked, but I still enjoy rooting for my team.
3. I think building a winning culture outweighs tanking.
4. I think the positive news from this team making the playoffs this year will help attract better quality free agents.
5. We lose our pick soon either way. I say get it over with and move on. Yes, I'd rather have the pick earlier than later, but that's a minor factor to me since the development of a draft pick in the late lottery typically takes 3-4 year.

With that being said, lets win this game tonight!

 

[Strenuus]

It's certainly a fair question, and a tough one. My take:
1. I enjoy watching the team win. I have a hard time rooting for them to lose for any reason.
2. Chip and a chair. If you don't make it to the table, you have no chance of winning. I enjoy the playoffs. Yes, that may mean getting our buts kicked, but I still enjoy rooting for my team.
3. I think building a winning culture outweighs tanking.
4. I think the positive news from this team making the playoffs this year will help attract better quality free agents.
5. We lose our pick soon either way. I say get it over with and move on. Yes, I'd rather have the pick earlier than later, but that's a minor factor to me since the development of a draft pick in the late lottery typically takes 3-4 year.

With that being said, lets win this game tonight!

Hopefully tunchi actually reads this with an objective mind, because this is really well said.

 

[blue9]

Coming from someone who was pro tank until about a month ago, making the playoffs would be a good thing. I don't think we're finding another CJ (in terms of a good fit for a position) in the teens that often.

I too was Pro Pick, but we've been in the PO picture for far too long to look back to the lottery now. POs or bust!
With that said, I do trust that Olshey can more easily improve the team if he has a pick to work with. I wouldn't be shocked if there's a rookie PF or SF that could contribute more than our current PF/SF...but I think using the pick in a trade would be more likely.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Trap Game. Very tired now and the Magic will want this for sure. Hope they can pull it together and get this one. Don't lose to the Warriors Twice.

ORL has multiple players banged up who may or may not play. Some are listed as questionable but the biggest one is their starting Center is out for sure.

 

[stampedehero]

We should win this through intimidation and bold force.

 

[Elton]

We should win this through intimidation and bold force.View attachment 8256

Make a little birdhouse in your soul.

 

[BBert]

I was pro pick so long as there was a decent statistical chance we could get into the early lottery. Considering the best we could do now is late lottery, and factoring in the value of playoff experience, I am 100% for getting the highest playoff seed we can.

 

[KingSpeed]

Great night for us. Rockets, Grizz, and Mavs all lost.

 

[KingSpeed]

Blazers have now lost 4 of the last 5 games. Almost 5 in a row really but fortunately we pulled off an OT win on Tuesday.

And yet we're still 6th in West.

 

[Eastoff]

Hey @SlyPokerDog are you going to this game? I think I'm in the suite just behind the island of misfit press.

 

[PDXFonz]

Hey @SlyPokerDog are you going to this game? I think I'm in the suite just behind the island of misfit press.

See how much popcorn you can get to stick in his hair.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Hey @SlyPokerDog are you going to this game? I think I'm in the suite just behind the island of misfit press.

Nope, staying home tonight.

Are you in the Pacific Office Automation Suite?

 

[Eastoff]

Nope, staying home tonight.

Are you in the Pacific Office Automation Suite?

Yes sir, should I heckle anyone? Although this is a work function...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Yes sir, should I heckle anyone? Although this is a work function...

Say hi to Jamie from CSNNW.

 

[Eastoff]

Say hi to Jamie from CSNNW.

Is that the cute blonde? Or the dude with an almost 90s hair cut?

 

[MarAzul]

Damn! Two TV games in a row!

 

[Strenuus]

Have I mentioned how much I hate 7:30 starts?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Is that the cute blonde? Or the dude with an almost 90s hair cut?

Cute blonde.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Can Vonleh outplay that slam dunk champion tonight?

I don't know anything about this Orlando team; I don't follow many other teams besides Portland, and nothing in the East.

 

[KingSpeed]

Can Vonleh outplay that slam dunk champion tonight?

I don't know anything about this Orlando team; I don't follow many other teams besides Portland, and nothing in the East.

I saw them beat us in Orlando last year. Elfrid Payton had a triple double. Looks like he isn't playing tonight.