Game Thread GAME 77: BLAZERS @ TIMBERWOLVES - APRIL 3, 2017 - MONDAY, 4:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

[Darkwebs]

2016-17 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
38 - 38
(16-23 Road)
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
30 - 45
(19-20 Home)

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

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS RICKY RUBIO

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS BRANDON RUSH

SF

MOE HARKLESS VS ANDREW WIGGINS

PF

NOAH VONLEH VS GORGUI DIENG

C

MEYERS LEONARD VS KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS

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




WHEN: 4:00 PM, MONDAY, 4/3/2017

WHERE: TARGET CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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


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

NAPIER , QUARTERMAN , CONNAUGHTON

TURNER , CRABBE

LAYMAN , AMINU

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

JONES , DUNN

MUHAMMAD , PAYNE

HILL , ALDRICH


INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Jusuf Nurkic (right leg, non-displaced fibular fracture): OUT
Ed Davis (arthoscopic surgery , left shoulder): OUT
Festus Ezeli (left knee): OUT
TIMBERWOLVES
Zach LaVine (torn anterior cruciate ligament): OUT
Nemanja Bjelica (fractured navicular bone, left foot): OUT
Nikola Pekovic (right ankle): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- TOM THIBODEAU



TIMBERWOLVES' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 78-30
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 43-12
AT THE TIMBERWOLVES: Trail Blazers lead, 35-18
​

​

 

[Darkwebs]

WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS RACE

 

[Darkwebs]

LOTTERY STANDINGS

 

[Trackjack]

With both teams battle for that 8th spot we have take it as playoff game. Plus it the front end of back to back.

 

[Darkwebs]

Yes, this game is YUUUUGE in terms of playoff implications! We need to win this one if we're serious about getting the 8th seed!

 

[Boise Blazer]

This will be an interesting game to see how Nurk can handle a player that plays like KAT and to that caliber. To me this game will say a lot about where he is at as opposed to where he will be in a year or two

 

[Scalma]

This will be an interesting game to see how Nurk can handle a player that plays like KAT and to that caliber. To me this game will say a lot about where he is at as opposed to where he will be in a year or two

I don't know about that, those two have gone up against eachother numerous times. Here's some video from a matchup last season



KAT will struggle with Nurkic' strength, and Nurkic will have issues with KATs athleticism. It's not really a great matchup for either guy.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I don't know about that, those two have gone up against eachother numerous times. Here's some video from a matchup last season



KAT will struggle with Nurkic' strength, and Nurkic will have issues with KATs athleticism. It's not really a great matchup for either guy.

We need to make this into a half court game where Nurk can use his strength. We can't let KAT beat us down the court. That's not just on Nurk. We need Vonleh, Meyers and Aminu all busting ass to get back on defense.

BNM

 

[Scalma]

We need to make this into a half court game where Nurk can use his strength. We can't let KAT beat us down the court. That's not just on Nurk. We need Vonleh, Meyers and Aminu all busting ass to get back on defense.

BNM

I actually like the idea of Aminu helping out on KAT.

 

[SIeepwalker]

We need this win ! Or... This loss ? I don't know anymore.

 

[KingSpeed]

We can do this.

 

[BrunoSOC]

This is a big game for us.

 

[PDXFonz]

Friendly reminder that we had the hardest schedule pre all-star and one of the easiest post all-star

 

[jlprk]

No excuses. I expect our guys to bust their butts to lose this one.

 

[BigGameDamian]

With both teams battle for that 8th spot we have take it as playoff game. Plus it the front end of back to back.

The question is, Will the refs let them take it to playoff intensity?

 

[Trackjack]

The question is, Will the refs let them take it to playoff intensity?

Good question I doubt it but we will see.

 

[PDXFonz]

In my opinion Nurks most impressive play of the year. Getting the offensive rebound and then being crafty enough to get it right back up against an athletic Andre Drummond.


Will he show us something more impressive against KAT?

Only a matter of time before he
A. Hits a 3
B. Gets a triple double
C. Gets 5x5

What will be first?

 

[Cippy91]

So obviously I wanna see nurk get better and better, I wanna see good performances but I wanna tunchi this. I don't want games won in order to get us a good pick. We really really need it more than a first round stomping and exit via the warriors

 

[KingSpeed]

So obviously I wanna see nurk get better and better, I wanna see good performances but I wanna tunchi this. I don't want games won in order to get us a good pick. We really really need it more than a first round stomping and exit via the warriors

If we're not good enough to compete with the Warriors now, do you think a pick will make us good enough to compete with the Warriors next year? Or are we tanking til Curry and Durant retire? I say let's make the playoffs, take the Warriors down, and win it all.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If we're not good enough to compete with the Warriors now, do you think a pick will make us good enough to compete with the Warriors next year? Or are we tanking til Curry and Durant retire? I say let's make the playoffs, take the Warriors down, and win it all.

Which year are you living in?

Did Bones get a spin off series or reunion movie?

Did the left and right ever find common ground?

 

[Blazer4ever]

If we're not good enough to compete with the Warriors now, do you think a pick will make us good enough to compete with the Warriors next year? Or are we tanking til Curry and Durant retire? I say let's make the playoffs, take the Warriors down, and win it all.

I would have to call this wishful thinking but I like the attitude. I always prefer trying to win even if it means not even making the playoffs and get the 14th pick. We play to win, we do our best

 

[Cippy91]

If we're not good enough to compete with the Warriors now, do you think a pick will make us good enough to compete with the Warriors next year? Or are we tanking til Curry and Durant retire? I say let's make the playoffs, take the Warriors down, and win it all.

There is more teams than the warriors you would have to take down and based off this teams play this year, no way. Not even if they returned to last seasons form. I get it, you're in full on kingspeed mode but let's be real for a second. I don't want the team to tank but if we happen to lose and miss playoffs I'm completely fine with that and actually believe it will help this team in the long run. This season has been bad. With the right moves over summer next season can be pretty good

 

[BrunoSOC]

There is more teams than the warriors you would have to take down and based off this teams play this year, no way. Not even if they returned to last seasons form. I get it, you're in full on kingspeed mode but let's be real for a second. I don't want the team to tank but if we happen to lose and miss playoffs I'm completely fine with that and actually believe it will help this team in the long run. This season has been bad. With the right moves over summer next season can be pretty good

We have to support our team. We still have time. Go Blazers

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Am I the only one who thinks Nurk looks a lot like Eddie Kaye Thomas (Finch from American Pie, or now Tobias from Scorpion)?

 

[Mediocre Man]

We have to support our team. We still have time. Go Blazers

Aren't those of us wanting a chance to add a huge impact player via the draft or draft day trade, to take that next step, supporting the team also?

 

[BrunoSOC]

Aren't those of us wanting a chance to add a huge impact player via the draft or draft day trade, to take that next step, supporting the team also?

I support to winning. I still believe. Fuck the draft, we have more than 20 games to player. Go blazers!

 

[BrunoSOC]

And yeah, i got your point. If we can make the playofs its awesome! If its not, that ok, we will have a good pick.

Aren't those of us wanting a chance to add a huge impact player via the draft or draft day trade, to take that next step, supporting the team also?

 

[BBert]

If we're not good enough to compete with the Warriors now, do you think a pick will make us good enough to compete with the Warriors next year?

I see a lottery pick as a possible trade chip. So, possibly yes.

But I'm not holding my breath for that. The Blazers new identity and intensity, combined with their easy late season schedule, and playoffs here we come. May as well relax and enjoy it.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It's really hard to get excited about adding any of these draft prospects. Only a couple of them appear to be huge impact players. I know we have to build through the draft and I know that somewhere in this draft there are some future stars. Nonetheless every players whose highlight video has been linked here so far has yet to get me really excited. So I keep going back to the theory that a few draft positions won't make much difference but the fact we have multiple 1st round picks might.

But we still have a full month of March madness to change my mind. Although there is also a good chance that the tournaments will just further convince me that the draft is deep but not great. Maybe a lot of good players but not a lot of great players?

 

[Jade Falcon]

Am I the only one who thinks Nurk looks a lot like Eddie Kaye Thomas (Finch from American Pie, or now Tobias from Scorpion)?

View attachment 12867 View attachment 12868

Nope. Dude looks just like Joe Staley, Offensive Guard for the San Francisco 49ers.

And you wanna talk about a team that's not making it to the playoffs......sigh.