Game Thread GAME# 77: GRIZZLIES @ BLAZERS - APRIL 1, 2018 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

[H.C.]

Ehh, I expect them to lose at least one. Portland would just have to beat Dallas and one of Denver, Houston (who isn't playing for anything), or UTA. San Antonio is the only team that can catch us, but it's somewhat of a longshot. We beat them, we clinch the 3 seed.

Personally, beating the Spurs is a must win for Portland.
I don't want to lose to Aldridge.

 

[tykendo]

I love our starters come playoff time especially if Harkless is back. Turner on the bench with ed and collins would be much better. No faith in Bazz and pat atm.

Shabazz and Pat need to get it together. I like Pat's rebounding and Napier's stealing ability, but their shots are not dropping. Still think they're good effort guyz though.

 

[tykendo]

Personally, beating the Spurs is a must win for Portland.
I don't want to lose to Aldridge.

Agree.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Personally, beating the Spurs is a must win for Portland.
I don't want to lose to Aldridge.

That is not going to happen. As we saw today, SA looks strong at home. We need a scenario that does not include that particular W.

 

[AFully22]

Ehh, I expect them to lose at least one. Portland would just have to beat Dallas and one of Denver, Houston (who isn't playing for anything), or UTA. San Antonio is the only team that can catch us, but it's somewhat of a longshot. We beat them, we clinch the 3 seed.

Knowing us, I bet we lose to Dallas but then beat Houston and San Antonio or some shit. Either way I think 50 wins is the magic number.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Can't even let Dame and CJ rest with a 20 point lead late in the 4th. Jesus

Goes to show how important your 5 and 6 man in an 8 man rotation can be; playing 1-4 and 7-12 is a fine way to lose leads fast.

 

[H.C.]

That is not going to happen. As we saw today, SA looks strong at home. We need a scenario that does not include that particular W.

Eh Portland is a good road team this year.
Portland gets that game, they lock up the 3rd seed.

 

[BonesJones]

Personally, beating the Spurs is a must win for Portland.
I don't want to lose to Aldridge.

That game would clinch the 3 seed no matter what. Would be nice to clinch with two games left.

 

[kjironman1]

When they added Wade Baldwin and Swanigan to close it out when you already have Napier, Leonard and Pat on the court you are pretty much playing the very end of your bench. I think i pointed out last time Wade Baldwin doesn't play much defense yet. Trying to have him guard Brooks was a mistake. Hope he learned something.
That team has nothing to lose at all. They are playing for respect. I absolutely love it that they never quit. Memphis has earned my respect for just playing the game right. Hope the ping pong balls bounce their way.

 

[joeBlazers]

I know we can't count on it, but I really think the Spurs will lose at least one more game NOT against us. They have been poor on the road losing at Washington and Milwaukee. We really need to beat Dallas. By the time we play them, we might have locked the #3 seed.

 

[Scalma]

Goes to show how important your 5 and 6 man in an 8 man rotation can be; playing 1-4 and 7-12 is a fine way to lose leads fast.

Our playoff rotation:

Dame
CJ
Harkless (hopefully)
Aminu
Nurkic
Davis
Turner
Collins

With maybe a sprinkle of Napier.

 

[tester551]

. Either way I think 50 wins is the magic number.

Spurs are the only team that can get to 50 wins (and that's only if they win out).

 

[kjironman1]

If we beat Dallas ... we are #3 ? Everyone has a tough schedule coming up.

Yep! they need to come out and take that game. Then it's all about minutes reductions and keeping guys fresh/healthy. Get a few minutes in for the bench and role players.

 

[dviss1]

What a great game by Meyers Leonard tonight.

 

[julius]

Now that #3 seed looks more and more certain ...

They need to win at least 2 games to get the 3rd seed and HOPE that someone beats the Spurs.

They can accomplish both if they win against Dallas and San Antonio, and then the 3rd seed is theirs. If my math is right.

 

[kjironman1]

Our playoff rotation:

Dame
CJ
Harkless (hopefully)
Aminu
Nurkic
Davis
Turner
Collins

With maybe a sprinkle of Napier.

You will see Pat also. Might not like it but he will play.

 

[kjironman1]

What a great game by Meyers Leonard tonight.

He didn't play bad. He did his job. Nothing special from what i watched but he held his own.

 

[Scalma]

Napier averages about three and a half assists per/36. Thats..not good. You mix that in with CJ, and it’s not hard to pinpoint why the second unit struggles. Too much iso with those two. Both awful in pick and rolls.

 

[kjironman1]

They need to win at least 2 games to get the 3rd seed and HOPE that someone beats the Spurs.

They can accomplish both if they win against Dallas and San Antonio, and then the 3rd seed is theirs. If my math is right.

From what i see they need one more for sure. But that is assuming the Spurs don't run the board at the end.

 

[kjironman1]

Napier averages about three and a half assists per/36. Thats..not good. You mix that in with CJ, and it’s not hard to pinpoint why the second unit struggles. Too much iso with those two.

CJ had 9 tonight didn't he? Better than usual.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He didn't play bad. He did his job. Nothing special from what i watched but he held his own.

I wonder if Biebs teammates think his facial contortions are as stupid as I think they are.

 

[kjironman1]

I wonder if Biebs teammates think his facial contortions are as stupid as I think they are.

Kind of wondering what player doesn't do that after making a big play?

 

[Scalma]

CJ had 9 tonight didn't he? Better than usual.

I don’t remember calling out CJ tonight? But that’s more of an exception than the norm. And Napier had one.

 

[julius]

From what i see they need one more for sure. But that is assuming the Spurs don't run the board at the end.

Thats why they need 2, otherwise if the Spurs run the board they win the 2nd seed by the simple fact they have the season series between Portland and San Antonio.

But if Portland wins 3 games (51 wins) they win no matter what. No one under Portland can win more than 50 games (and only San Antonio can win 50).

 

[Scalma]

I wonder if Biebs teammates think his facial contortions are as stupid as I think they are.

I don’t know about his teammates but I definitely think they’re stupid, especially when they aren’t even highlight worthy plays.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Kind of wondering what player doesn't do that after making a big play?

So, every play Biebs makes is a "big play"?

 

[AFully22]

Napier averages about three and a half assists per/36. Thats..not good. You mix that in with CJ, and it’s not hard to pinpoint why the second unit struggles. Too much iso with those two. Both awful in pick and rolls.

What’s most puzzling to me about that is Shabazz is a skilled passer but he sometimes looks like he doesn’t know how or when to make the easy passes and get the offense in motion. But force him to make a behind the back pass in a crowded post and he’s nails.

If he can’t develop that part of his game under coach Vanderpool he should be worried. That should be his focus this offseason or he might have already realized his ceiling.

 

[kjironman1]

So, every play Biebs makes is a "big play"?

You got my point. Nice!
Yes if Leonard is on the court i figure it's a big moment for him.

 

[dviss1]

I loved when he grabbed the rebound and said:

GIMME THAT SHIT

He snatched on 2 people.

 

[dviss1]

What’s most puzzling to me about that is Shabazz is a skilled passer but he sometimes looks like he doesn’t know how or when to make the easy passes and get the offense in motion. But force him to make a behind the back pass in a crowded post and he’s nails.

If he can’t develop that part of his game under coach Vanderpool he should be worried. That should be his focus this offseason or he might have already realized his ceiling.

No one's worried. Shabazz, unfortunately for him, won't be a Blazer next season. Baldwin is going to play those minutes.

We can't pay Shabazz and Ed. We're gonna hafta choose.