Game Thread GAME# 76: CELTICS @ BLAZERS - MARCH 31, 2016 - THURSDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 Regular Season Record
BOSTON CELTICS
43 - 31
(18-19 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
39 - 36
(24-12 Home)



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

PG

ISAIAH THOMAS VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

AVERY BRADLEY VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

JAE CROWDER VS MAURICE HARKLESS

PF

AMIR JOHNSON VS AL-FAROUQ AMINU

C

JARED SULLINGER VS MASON PLUMLEE


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




WHEN: 7:00 PM (PDT), THURSDAY, 3/31/2016​

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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



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

BOSTON CELTICS

ROZIER , SMART , HUNTER , TURNER

MICKEY , JEREBKO , OLYNYK , ZELLER

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

ROBERTS , HENDERSON , CRABBE , MONTERO

CONNAUGHTON , VONLEH , ALEXANDER , DAVIS



INJURIES
CELTICS
NONE
TRAIL BLAZERS
Meyers Leonard (dislocated left shoulder): OUT


HEAD COACHES

- VS –

BRAD STEVENS --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL CELTICS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

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

• LAST MEETING: Boston defeated Portland, 116-93, at the TD Garden. Isaiah Thomas scored a game-high 30 points on 11-of-20 shooting (3-6 3-PT).

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

• Portland is 4-6 in its past 10 games against the Celtics at the Moda Center.

• 2010-11 represents the last time that the Celtics won the regular season series against the Trail Blazers (lead 1-0 in 2015-16).

• At 22-10, the Trail Blazers and Celtics are tied for the seventh-best record in the NBA since Jan. 23.

• Damian Lillard has scored at least 20 points in two straight games against the Celtics, after failing to notch more than 17 points in any of his first five career games against Boston. Lillard scored a team-high 20 points (8-17 FG) against the Celtics on March 2.

• CJ McCollum scored 17 points on 5-of-13 shooting at Boston on March 2, and has now had 10 or more points in three career games against the Celtics. McCollum has made multiple three-point fi eld goals in all three contests.

• Gerald Henderson has scored at least 10 points in 13 of his past 15 games against the Celtics. Henderson’s 35 points (11-19 FG, 12-12 FT) against Boston on March 12, 2013 represents a career-high in scoring.

• Portland head coach Terry Stotts and Boston head coach Brad Stevens both received Coach of the Month honors in February from their respective conferences.

• Celtics president of basketball operations and Eugene, Oregon native Danny Ainge played for Portland from 1990-92, averaging 10.4 points in 161 games.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Celtics lead, 64-43
IN PORTLAND: Celtics lead, 28-25
AT THE CELTICS: Celtics lead, 36-18

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Thanks to the other thread for the logos.

 

[SIeepwalker]

No love for Montero in the game thread !

 

[Darkwebs]

No love for Montero in the game thread !

Fixed. Thanks!

 

[Strenuus]

I don't have much faith in this game... Hope, though, I do... but Boston is F'n good.

 

[B-Roy]

I don't have much faith in this game... Hope, though, I do... but Boston is F'n good.

They are 5-5 in their last 10.

But I think they are just a horrible matchup for the Blazers, Dame has always struggled against Bradley.

Might get Crowder back on Thursday as well, which would be bad.

 

[Draco]

Crowder is probably their best player. Great defender and efficient on offense.

The reason we win so many home games is entirely lack of rest and travel by opponents. Boston has two days off prior to this game so that advantage is gone. We will be rested too unlike the 4 in 5 nights we played in Boston. If Crowder had been out we'd have an advantage. If he's healthy I think this is a real toss up 50-50 game. We might only be able to afford one more loss outside the Warriors to get the 5th seed so lets save that for another game.

Go Blazers!

 

[Tunchi]

I don't have much faith in this game... Hope, though, I do... but Boston is F'n good.

SO whats the point of the playoffs then if we cant win games like this?

 

[illmatic99]

Need this game if we want a shot at #5. I hate playing them. Bradley eats Dame for lunch every time.

 

[Spud147]

SO whats the point of the playoffs then if we cant win games like this?

What's the point of being a Blazer fan if it causes you so much angst?

 

[Strenuus]

SO whats the point of the playoffs then if we cant win games like this?

I didn't say we weren't going to win....

 

[BBert]

SO whats the point of the playoffs then if we cant win games like this?

At this point I think the point of the playoffs is to (1) evaluate our players in the playoffs and (2) get the players who will be on the roster next season experience in the playoffs. Those two things are not without value.

 

[Tunchi]

What's the point of being a Blazer fan if it causes you so much angst?

Your boy is the one saying he doesn't have faith against a team like Boston. But a team like Boston is basically what the playoffs is about? SO whats the point of losing our asset for that then?

Thats all

 

[stampedehero]

Boston could lose one and survive. We got to kick their asses and exert supreme rule of the house

 

[stampedehero]

At this point I think the point of the playoffs is to (1) evaluate our players in the playoffs and (2) get the players who will be on the roster next season experience in the playoffs. Those two things are not without value.

BBert Knows!

 

[stampedehero]

I would like to see Davis whack Olynyks head and watch the long hair spit off sweat

 

[Draco]

 

[Strenuus]

Your boy is the one saying he doesn't have faith against a team like Boston. But a team like Boston is basically what the playoffs is about? SO whats the point of losing our asset for that then?

Thats all

Because it's one game and not seven?

I don't know, simple logic?

 

[jlprk]

I don't have much faith in this game... Hope, though, I do... but Boston is F'n good.

But I think they are just a horrible matchup for the Blazers, Dame has always struggled against Bradley.

I hate playing them. Bradley eats Dame for lunch every time.

We always walk away feeling like we got outcoached. Brad Stevens is good.

 

[BonesJones]

In the offseason I hope we find some way to trade for Avery Bradley without giving up too much. (Not likely I know). The dude would be the perfect 3rd guard that could play next to Dame or CJ and defend the better player. Plus it'd mean we always have 2 ball handlers in at the same time.

Only feasible way would be jumping in on a Kings/Celtics DMC trade. Reroute Bradley here and give Sacramento something better (Combination of Plumlee/Vonleh/Aminu/Future 1sts)

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I thought Reggie Miller was the right answer.

 

[BonesJones]

In the offseason I hope we find some way to trade for Avery Bradley without giving up too much. (Not likely I know). The dude would be the perfect 3rd guard that could play next to Dame or CJ and defend the better player. Plus it'd mean we always have 2 ball handlers in at the same time.

Only feasible way would be jumping in on a Kings/Celtics DMC trade. Reroute Bradley here and give Sacramento something better (Combination of Plumlee/Vonleh/Aminu/Future 1sts)

And honestly, I could see the Kings wanting Vonleh more than Bradley. A Vonleh/WCS would be massive (9ft+ standing reaches) and athletic (37 inch verticals). Both could guard any big man in the league and could switch onto any position. Both could run the floor and compliment each other offensively. That plus Smart wild be a great defensive core to build around. Get the 4th pick in the draft and they could get Jaylen Brown to further add to their defense. Draft Hield 7th and there's your scorer at SG. None of those guys are bad locker room presences either, and theyd have an identity. They would still have Gay, McLemore, and others to trade or keep. Sacremento would do something like this if their front office wasn't so stupid.

We could get Bradley from Boston in that scenario. That's the only way possible. Bradley is one of the top 5 guys I've always wanted. The addition of him would turn is into a 50+ win team overnight.

 

[Strenuus]

Gonna be working during this game... so it's box score and forum for me, and then listen to the last half of the 4th whilst driving.

 

[kjironman1]

Blazers are going to have to work hard on this one. They do not match up well with the Celtics.
Go Blazers!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

538: Blazers have a 61% chance to win.

Me: I want to vote yes on the poll, and I will do so if we win tonight (so, basically I'm chickening out....)

 

[jlprk]

538: Blazers have a 61% chance to win.

Me: I want to vote yes on the poll, and I will do so if we win tonight

The Celtics easily beat us every time. It's over by the 3rd quarter.

 

[Strenuus]

The Celtics easily beat us every time. It's over by the 3rd quarter.

Every time? We've played them once. lol.

 

[jlprk]

Every time? We've played them once. lol.

You're right. The game before that, they only beat us by 1. I didn't have to look that up, I'm up on it. Cowens has been a real surprise.

 

[B-Roy]

Jae Crowder is playing. Crap.

 

[Strenuus]

Jae Crowder is playing. Crap.

It'd make it just that much better if we beat them.