Game Thread GAME# 7: PISTONS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 8, 2015 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 Regular Season Record
DETROIT PISTONS
4 - 1 (2-0 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
4 - 2 (2-1 Home)


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

PG

REGGIE JACKSON VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

MARCUS MORRIS VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

PF

ERSAN ILYASOVA VS MEYERS LEONARD

C

ANDRE DRUMMOND VS MASON PLUMLEE






WHEN: 6:00 PM (PST), SUNDAY, 11/8/2015​

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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



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

DETROIT PISTONS

BLAKE , DINWIDDIE , HILLIARD , BULLOCK

JOHNSON , TOLLIVER , BAYNES , ANTHONY

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

FRAZIER , CRABBE , CONNAUGHTON , HARKLESS

VONLEH , ALEXANDER , DAVIS , KAMAN


INJURIES
PISTONS
Jodie Meeks (fracture, fifth metatarsal, right foot): OUT
Brandon Jennings (left Achilles): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Gerald Henderson (left hip): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

STAN VAN GUNDY --- TERRY STOTTS




OFFICIAL BLAZERS GAME NOTES ​

• Sunday marks the first of two matchups between the Trail Blazers and Pistons in 2015-16.

• Portland defeated Detroit in both games last season, and has won five consecutive games against the Pistons.

• The Trail Blazers have won seven consecutive home games against the Pistons. Detroit’s last win in Portland was back on March 14, 2007.

• Portland is 23-10 against Detroit dating back to the start of the 1997-98 season.

• Portland is sixth in the league in three-point field goal percentage at 37.4%, while the Pistons are limiting their opponents to 28.6% shooting from beyond the arc (5th in NBA).

• The Trail Blazers are ranked fourth in the NBA in shooting at 46.8%, while Detroit is 30th in the league with a .386 shooting percentage.

• Damian Lillard averaged 21.0 points on 15-of-26 shooting (6-12 3-PT) and dished out 8.0 assists in two games against the Pistons last season. Lillard has scored at least 20 points in three of his past four games against Detroit.

• In his lone game against Detroit last season, Meyers Leonard scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting (2-3 3-PT) and grabbed seven rebounds in 20 minutes.

• Portland defeated Detroit, 118-99, at the Moda Center last season on March 13, marking it’s largest victory over the Pistons since a 22-point win on 11/9/10.

• Pistons guard Steve Blake has served three seperate stints and five-plus seasons with the Trail Blazers, averaging 7.8 points and 4.5 assists in 350 games (232 starts).


• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 61-49
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 37-17
AT THE PISTONS: Pistons lead, 32-24

OFFICIAL PISTONS GAME NOTES




GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[KingSpeed]

I expect a 15-20 point win.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I expect a 15-20 point win.

Put your score in the prediction game.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Cliff Alexander is supposedly playing tonight @Darkwebs

I would guess Montero is the one inactive in that case.

 

[KingSpeed]

Cliff Alexander is supposedly playing tonight

Sweet!!!!

 

[Darkwebs]

Cliff Alexander is supposedly playing tonight @Darkwebs

I would guess Montero is the one inactive in that case.

Thank you!!! I've updated the post. Can't wait to see him play!

 

[barfo]

Thank you!!! I've updated the post. Can't wait to see him play!

Still needs one more update - Alexander is still listed as OUT under injuries.

That photo makes Crabbe's head look amazingly narrow.

barfo

 

[SlyPokerDog]

That photo makes Crabbe's head look amazingly narrow.

If Darkwebs made Crabbe's head proportional to the other players his ears would cover their faces.

 

[WillG]

That photo makes Crabbe's head look amazingly narrow.

Streamlined for speed, . . .with air brakes on the sides.

 

[barfo]

If Darkwebse made Crabbe's head proportional to the other players his ears would cover their faces.

That would be pretty cool, I think.

I guess we can't nickname him Dumbo, but maybe there's something about elephants.

How about Packy? (as in dunking...)

barfo

 

[kjironman1]

If you have been following the Blazers this year you know that they can play at a level that can give any team a game. The fact is this Detroit team is pretty good and they play tough so the Blazers will need to bring the offense as well as the defense to win tonight. I watched parts of their game against the Suns and they simply out played them. Morris was "on" playing his old team and Drummond pounded them for 17 rebounds. The guy is Averaging 18.6 pt.s and right now 19 rebounds a game. I do not expect that number to go down much tonight.

So far this year the Blazers have been able to put 3 different looks on the court giving Stotts has an better overall dimension in the way he can adjust to what teams are doing. It actually seems as though he is learning and growing with this team as well. I would expect them to continue to bring the starters and see if the spacing is working. However if the shots are not falling that means that there will be lots of rebounding and that obviously falls into the Pistons favor. Meyers will have to hit shots or very quickly you will see Davis in there to compete on the glass. The fact is if the shots are falling tonight for the Blazers very few teams can keep pace with them. It should be fun to watch the two back courts going at each other. Jackson/KCP vs Lillard/McCollum comes down to who can score and who can defend. The SF position brings some intrigue also when you think Aminu vs Morris. At first glance i give the edge to Morris. He has always played well against the Blazers but AFA is not Batum. Bigs are going to have their hands full tonight. I wonder how many missed FT's we are going to see between the two teams. If you are a high school coach a game like this is going to drive you nuts. Maybe you can use it as an example of why you have to work on your free throws? The real difference seems to be the bench with these two teams. The Pistons have pretty much rode their starters and rotated in Tolliver and Johnson but these guys are not a real scoring threat and Steve Blake will get about 12 mins that we all know will not produce lots of scoring. IMO the Blazers have the advantage off the bench. It's just weird typing that still....
Sounds like Cliff Alexander will suit up but if he actually plays or not is a big question?

This is a game if played well the Blazers can get a win, but which Blazers are going to show? Right after the game they need to get on a plane and fly to Denver so i would hope they do well and carry some momentum into tomorrow. Strategy wise they need to play fast and loose. Ball movement and open looks are going to be what gets them a win. Portland is averaging almost 104 pts per game and the Pistons just under 96 pts. If the Blazers can get a lead they can probably hold it but playing from behind and having to chuck 3's to catch up is just going to add to the rebound issues. I would like to see them with a lead at half. Winning the assist battle will mean they are sharing the ball and hitting some shots. These are the things to look for tonight.

Go Blazers!

Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I expect a 15-20 point win.

I expect a standing ovation for Steve Blake

 

[KeepOnRollin]

That photo makes Crabbe's head look amazingly narrow.

barfo

He might as well go the other way and skinny up Stan Van Gundy's face then. I am sure it is just the photo that is making him look fat right? haha

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I expect a standing ovation for Steve Blake

I'd like to see that. Nothing but respect for Blake. His longevity is a testament of his work ethic, his attitude, his wreck less abandon, and even more so the type of person he is. I've given Blake grief for not being the best, but he has made the most out of his build and his ability, as much as any player I've ever followed.

 

[Scalma]

If you have been following the Blazers this year

Nah

 

[Blazers Roy]

I expect the hack-a-Drummond to be served with a troll smile from Terry.

 

[riverman]

Go Good Guys!..Should be a great game. Detroit is a much improved team this season. I can't wait to see Cliff Alexanders play.

 

[42N8Bounce]

Go Good Guys!..Should be a great game. Detroit is a much improved team this season. I can't wait to see Cliff Alexanders play.

Agreed. I was surprised looking down the Detroit lineup how many quality young players they have.

I'm guessing the only way we see Alexander is if the game is a blowout one way or the other. He's a 19 year old rookie that's only seen a half year of college ball. I'm anxious to see him on the court soon though. Here's looking forward to some big Blazer leads!

 

[BigGameDamian]

Good poll, I like it! Basketball is my favorite sport. Fallowed by Football and Hockey.

 

[SIeepwalker]

I've decided to stop being a forum stalker and start posting some messages, hopefully we can get along !

Honestly looking at the roster, I feel like we are way ahead on every position except C (not sure for PF as i don't really know Ilyasova that much). Our bench seems better too... I expect a win.

Also hyped for Alexander !

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I expect the hack-a-Drummond to be served with a troll smile from Terry.

Followed immediately by hack-a Plums?

Can we break the record for most total FTAs in a game?

 

[barfo]

I've decided to stop being a forum stalker and start posting some messages, hopefully we can get along !

Honestly looking at the roster, I feel like we are way ahead on every position except C (not sure for PF as i don't really know Ilyasova that much). Our bench seems better too... I expect a win.

Also hyped for Alexander !

Welcome!

barfo

 

[SIeepwalker]

Followed immediately by hack-a Plums?

Can we break the record for most total FTAs in a game?

Get ready for a 5 hours game !

 

[EGame]

Last time I took the KingSpeed approach and said easy win, the game against the Grizzlies ended up being an easy win... Therefore I will say easy win again.

 

[Orion Bailey]

If you have been following the Blazers this year you know that they can play at a level that can give any team a game. The fact is this Detroit team is pretty good and they play tough so the Blazers will need to bring the offense as well as the defense to win tonight. I watched parts of their game against the Suns and they simply out played them. Morris was "on" playing his old team and Drummond pounded them for 17 rebounds. The guy is Averaging 18.6 pt.s and right now 19 rebounds a game. I do not expect that number to go down much tonight.

So far this year the Blazers have been able to put 3 different looks on the court giving Stotts has an better overall dimension in the way he can adjust to what teams are doing. It actually seems as though he is learning and growing with this team as well. I would expect them to continue to bring the starters and see if the spacing is working. However if the shots are not falling that means that there will be lots of rebounding and that obviously falls into the Pistons favor. Meyers will have to hit shots or very quickly you will see Davis in there to compete on the glass. The fact is if the shots are falling tonight for the Blazers very few teams can keep pace with them. It should be fun to watch the two back courts going at each other. Jackson/KCP vs Lillard/McCollum comes down to who can score and who can defend. The SF position brings some intrigue also when you think Aminu vs Morris. At first glance i give the edge to Morris. He has always played well against the Blazers but AFA is not Batum. Bigs are going to have their hands full tonight. I wonder how many missed FT's we are going to see between the two teams. If you are a high school coach a game like this is going to drive you nuts. Maybe you can use it as an example of why you have to work on your free throws? The real difference seems to be the bench with these two teams. The Pistons have pretty much rode their starters and rotated in Tolliver and Johnson but these guys are not a real scoring threat and Steve Blake will get about 12 mins that we all know will not produce lots of scoring. IMO the Blazers have the advantage off the bench. It's just weird typing that still....
Sounds like Cliff Alexander will suit up but if he actually plays or not is a big question?

This is a game if played well the Blazers can get a win, but which Blazers are going to show? Right after the game they need to get on a plane and fly to Denver so i would hope they do well and carry some momentum into tomorrow. Strategy wise they need to play fast and loose. Ball movement and open looks are going to be what gets them a win. Portland is averaging almost 104 pts per game and the Pistons just under 96 pts. If the Blazers can get a lead they can probably hold it but playing from behind and having to chuck 3's to catch up is just going to add to the rebound issues. I would like to see them with a lead at half. Winning the assist battle will mean they are sharing the ball and hitting some shots. These are the things to look for tonight.

Go Blazers!

Kjironman is a fan!!!

Dude, Great post!! Basically just killed the thread until tip off because there really isnt anything else to say or even refute what YOU said. Awesome!!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Shit, if Timmy taught CJ and Dame his Jedi moves...

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Live from the Isle of Misfit Press... it's Sly..Poker...DOG!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Live from the Isle of Misfit Press... it's Sly..Poker...DOG!

Sly's got his pregame drink on!
Im excited. This is going to be our first real test!!! I figure if we can compete, regardless of the outcome, we are in for a .500 plus season. First big step is tonight!!!!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Sly's got his pregame drink on!
Im excited. This is going to be our first real test!!! I figure if we can compete, regardless of the outcome, we are in for a .500 plus season. First big step is tonight!!!!

Sadly, part of the rules of sitting in the Isle of Misfit Press is no booze and no Blazer memorabilia.