Game Thread GAME# 78: BLAZERS @ MAVERICKS - APRIL 3, 2018 - TUESDAY, 5:30 PM (PST), NBCSNW

[KingSpeed]

Blazers need bench help? That DiVincenzo kid sure put up a performance off the bench. 31 points 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in the Natty!

Do you think he'll be good in NBA?

 

[Scalma]

Your point was that we'd lose to them and I disagree. I think we'd win in 5.

Since you like bringing up pointless numbers to help your argument, you’ll like this one;

Utah has beaten Portland 4 out of the last 6 meetings.

So where does your confidence come from?

 

[KingSpeed]

Since you like bringing up pointless numbers to help your argument, you’ll like this one;

Utah has beaten Portland 4 out of the last 6 meetings.

So where does your confidence come from?

19 point beating in most recent matchup. In Utah who was on 11 game win streak. That and they can't guard Lillard.

 

[TBpup]

Do you think he'll be good in NBA?

Better than Pat....

 

[Scalma]

19 point beating in most recent matchup. In Utah who was on 11 game win streak. That and they can't guard Lillard.

4 out of 6. That’s enough to win a series.

 

[KingSpeed]

4 out of 6. That’s enough to win a series.

If you think that is reason Utah will beat us in a series, good for you. Brooklyn was 4-0 against Heat in regular season and Heat swept them in playoffs. Anyway, you're scared of Utah and I'm saying not to be. I'm complimenting YOUR team.

 

[TBpup]

Do you think he'll be good in NBA?

Was on a call which is why the first answer was so short.

He has some swagger to him. Can handle, elevate, dribble, shoot, pass and play both PG and SG. It was only one game where he blew up and hasn't been as good prior but has been very solid off the bench for them as their Super-Sub. Good size at 6'5". I'd like to see how he measures out at Chicago Pre-Draft.

 

[Chris Craig]

I think Utah has the best chance of non HCA teams in the west to make the 2nd round. They have a great chemistry, shoot lights out from the 3, play a tight brand of D, and bring a very physical game especially with Gobert inside, banging in the paint, blocking shots and rebounding like crazy. Utah would not be my first choice in the 1st round. That said, do I think the Blazers can beat them in a seven game series? Yes. Especially with HCA. Will it be easy? Not in the slightest.

 

[Scalma]

If you think that is reason Utah will beat us in a series, good for you. Brooklyn was 4-0 against Heat in regular season and Heat swept them in playoffs. Anyway, you're scared of Utah and I'm saying not to be. I'm complimenting YOUR team.

I’m literally using YOUR OWN logic against you LOLOL

 

[KingSpeed]

I’m literally using YOUR OWN logic against you LOLOL

It's not working.

 

[BonesJones]

They were NOT without Hayward. Hayward played and they were fighting for HCA:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201704080POR.html

Utah probably fears Lillard. And yes, Mitchell was in college while Dame was dominating in NBA. Do you seriously fear Mitchell over Lillard?

Where the heck did you get that I "fear Mitchell overt Lillard". I think DM will struggle. You just agreed with a very invalid reason.

We've played them 7 times in the past year. You biasedly pick out one game (from last year) and try to use it as a predictor or some sort of valid reasoning for how a series would go (this year). What about the games Lillard struggled against Utah? You'd never bring those up.

 

[BonesJones]

If you think that is reason Utah will beat us in a series, good for you. Brooklyn was 4-0 against Heat in regular season and Heat swept them in playoffs. Anyway, you're scared of Utah and I'm saying not to be. I'm complimenting YOUR team.

So, with that logic, how does Lillards 59 points against them a year ago mean anything?

 

[BonesJones]

It's not working.

Was on a call which is why the first answer was so short.

He has some swagger to him. Can handle, elevate, dribble, shoot, pass and play both PG and SG. It was only one game where he blew up and hasn't been as good prior but has been very solid off the bench for them as their Super-Sub. Good size at 6'5". I'd like to see how he measures out at Chicago Pre-Draft.

If were taliking about Pat/Bazz replacements, give me Jevon Carter. Dudes gonna be Patrick Beverly 2.0.

 

[dead247]

Just curious, has Papackdoiejsckslzmeisocik even seen more than a minute of playing time so far? Not that we're in desperate need of him. Would like to see more of what he can offer, but I guess we're doing good enough that it doesn't matter at this point...

 

[H.C.]

Anyone but Utah pls.
Portland can win, but I don't want to face them.
Which is good because it's looking like they'll be either 4 or 5.

 

[dviss1]

a MUST win to start the 4-game road trip.

Man... We boutsta SMASH these cats!

 

[dviss1]

IDC who we play in the playoffs. We're gonna win no matter what.

 

[kjironman1]

I kinda want Utah in the first round. I feel Portland can win that series and i also feel the defensive intensity would set the tone for the rest of the playoffs. If they can withstand that kind of defensive play in the first round they might be better prepared for the Rockets.
The one thing i don't want to see is the Rockets and Spurs play in the first round essentially giving both Texas teams home games through the first round.

 

[dviss1]

Blazers need bench help? That DiVincenzo kid sure put up a performance off the bench. 31 points 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks in the Natty!

So? I like the kid but I don't see a big NBA future for him.

 

[TBpup]

If were taliking about Pat/Bazz replacements, give me Jevon Carter. Dudes gonna be Patrick Beverly 2.0.

The list is very long of guys that could be Pat/Bazz replacements and a lot of guys I'd take before DD as well.

So? I like the kid but I don't see a big NBA future for him.

It was really just a comment on his good came and how poor our bench has been recently. I think he would be at least as good as Pat...which isn't much of an NBA future.

 

[crandc]

Amazing long argument over who you would rather the team face in playoffs. Something the players (and certainly fans) have zero control over. 4-9 are almost tied. Order will most likely shift over last week of the season. Team just needs to keep winning, Keep the swagger. I agree with dviss. They can beat anyone.

 

[jonnyboy]

Jazz playing the Warriors in round 1 would be ideal. Best chance for an upset IMO. They are 2-0 against them so far this year, with commanding 20-or-so point wins in both games. Thunder wouldn't be bad against them either, they are 2-1 in the season series and we shall see what happens tonight. I don't see the Thunder dropping to 7th tho, or even know of its statistically possible. I think we've got their number anyway. I want to watch us beat them. I DON'T like that team and I don't like Westbrook.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Is that a futuristic Portland? What city is that? Its not Dallas!

 

[illmatic99]

I think Utah is good enough to hang with GS. And they give us horrible matchup problems. Not sure why anyone would want to play them. Rubio is a terrific defender, and they can throw Crowder at CJ to slow him down, and they have Gobert protecting the back line. We struggle to defend all their movement.

Avoid Utah at all costs.

 

[Scalma]

I think Utah is good enough to hang with GS. And they give us horrible matchup problems. Not sure why anyone would want to play them. Rubio is a terrific defender, and they can throw Crowder at CJ to slow him down, and they have Gobert protecting the back line. We struggle to defend all their movement.

Avoid Utah at all costs.

Being smart is part of survival. It’s like I don’t want to walk inside a fire just to show everyone how brave I am. A series against Utah would be 50/50 imo. No thanks!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think Utah is good enough to hang with GS. And they give us horrible matchup problems. Not sure why anyone would want to play them. Rubio is a terrific defender, and they can throw Crowder at CJ to slow him down, and they have Gobert protecting the back line. We struggle to defend all their movement.

Avoid Utah at all costs.

Each team presents their own mach up problems. I do prefer to play the Pelicans or the Twolves, but one nice thing about playing Utah is they have no "star power". In a tight game down the stretch you hate to have to worry about touch fouls that a Westbrook, Butler, or an AD might get.

 

[stampedehero]

Stotts should tell the team to go and prove we are the 3rd seed. Lets keep it. It's Ours!!!!
Win every road game and set our reputation going forward.

 

[BlazerBeav]

We still owe Dallas (and Dirk) plenty of defeats - so by all means, kick them while they are down.

 

[Titan]

I want us to lock up the 3 seed first, then play whoever in the playoffs. Let's go Blazers!

 

[kjironman1]

We still owe Dallas (and Dirk) plenty of defeats - so by all means, kick them while they are down.

I feel exactly the same way. Same with the Lakers!