Game Thread GAME# 78: BLAZERS @ WARRIORS - APRIL 3, 2016 - SUNDAY, 5:00 PM (PDT), KGW & NBATV

[Darkwebs]

2015-16 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
41 - 36
(15-24 Road)
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
68 - 8
(36-1 Home)




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

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS STEPHEN CURRY

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS KLAY THOMPSON

SF

MAURICE HARKLESS VS BRANDON RUSH

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS HARRISON BARNES

C

MASON PLUMLEE VS DRAYMOND GREEN


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WHEN: 5:00 PM, SUNDAY, 4/3/2016

WHERE: ORACLE ARENA, OAKLAND, CA

TV BROADCAST:

AND

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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

ROBERTS , HENDERSON , CRABBE , MONTERO

CONNAUGHTON , VONLEH , DAVIS , KAMAN

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

CLARK , LIVINGSTON , BARBOSA ,

McADOO , SPEIGHTS , EZELI , VAREJAO


INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Meyers Leonard (dislocated left shoulder): OUT
WARRIORS
Andrew Bogut (ribs): QUESTIONABLE
Andre Iguodala (left ankle sprain): OUT
Kevon Looney (right hip): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- STEVE KERR



WARRIORS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Sunday marks the fourth and final regular season matchup between the Trail Blazers and Warriors in 2015-16.

• LAST MEETING: Golden State defeated Portland, 128-112, at ORACLE Arena on March 11. Klay Thompson scored a game-high 37 points (13-22 FG, 8-11 3-PT), while Stephen Curry added 34 points (13-23 FG, 7-14 3-PT).

• In the most recent contest on March 11, Portland and Golden State combined for 37 three-point fi eld goals. That set a new NBA record for the most three-pointers made in a single game (36, 3/11/11).

• The Trail Blazers are 2-8 in their past 10 games at ORACLE Arena.

• Portland’s 32-point victory against Golden State on Feb. 19 represents the Warriors’ largest margin of defeat since a 39-point loss to Denver (4/9/12).

• Damian Lillard scored a career-high 51 points on 18-of-28 shooting (9-12 3-PT) against Golden State (2/19). Lillard tied franchise records for points scored in a single half (32, second half) and made three-point fi eld goals in a single game (9, career-high).

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 121-96
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 80-28
AT THE WARRIORS: Warriors lead, 68-41

​

 

[KingSpeed]

I think the Warriors will struggle against us without Iggy and Bogut. I expect us to win. If SA is serious about getting HCA, they might be able to pull it off.

 

[Strenuus]

I think the Warriors will struggle against us without Iggy and Bogut. I expect us to win. If SA is serious about getting HCA, they might be able to pull it off.

Damn... I was hoping it'd just say "They can't guard us." *drops mic*

 

[KingSpeed]

They can't guard us. They haven't been able to guard us all year.

 

[KingSpeed]

No team has scored more points against GS than Portland. GS has only scored 4 more points than us.

 

[Strenuus]

No team has scored more points against GS than Portland. GS has only scored 4 more points than us.

It's funny to think that, since we have blown each other out once each. lol.

 

[Draco]

I think the Warriors will struggle against us without Iggy and Bogut. I expect us to win. If SA is serious about getting HCA, they might be able to pull it off.

If we win tonight yeah it's crazy the #1 seed is in play for the Spurs. They need to win out and have the Warriors choke one game against Memphis, Minnesota, or Memphis. Nuts.

If the Dubs still have these injuries their legitametly vulnerable in the playoffs. Iggy was finals MVP and a key member of the lineup of death. Anchored their bench on both ends. They are getting killed on the boards without Bogut/Ezeli. Teams are successfully trapping Draymond.

Think I'd rather see the Warrior stay as the #1 seed for us to beat them in round 2. Even if we lose its be a more exciting way to go down. Don't want the slow painful helpless inevitable death of the Spurs. Now if it's in the conference finals, bring on the Spurs. What a compelling storyline. Would be similar to Nash being renounced by the Mavs, getting the MVP, but the Mavs also get a franchise record in wins. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but that's what being a delusional fanatic is all about!

Go Blazers!

 

[dviss1]

Look at Anderson Varejao lookin' like Tom Brady in a Jheri curl wig!

 

[kjironman1]

If we win tonight yeah it's crazy the #1 seed is in play for the Spurs. They need to win out and have the Warriors choke one game against Memphis, Minnesota, or Memphis. Nuts.

If the Dubs still have these injuries their legitametly vulnerable in the playoffs. Iggy was finals MVP and a key member of the lineup of death. Anchored their bench on both ends. They are getting killed on the boards without Bogut/Ezeli. Teams are successfully trapping Draymond.

Think I'd rather see the Warrior stay as the #1 seed for us to beat them in round 2. Even if we lose its be a more exciting way to go down. Don't want the slow painful helpless inevitable death of the Spurs. Now if it's in the conference finals, bring on the Spurs. What a compelling storyline. Would be similar to Nash being renounced by the Mavs, getting the MVP, but the Mavs also get a franchise record in wins. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but that's what being a delusional fanatic is all about!

Go Blazers!

All very good points but i see more than that.
Golden State were the beneficiaries of huge injuries the entire way to the Championship last year during the playoffs. This year is a different year. They are a very good team but they are not unbeatable in a playoff series. One way or another they are going to have to play a team that is at full strength and that has a plan to beat them.

 

[Draco]

All very good points but i see more than that.
Golden State were the beneficiaries of huge injuries the entire way to the Championship last year during the playoffs. This year is a different year. They are a very good team but they are not unbeatable in a playoff series. One way or another they are going to have to play a team that is at full strength and that has a plan to beat them.

Oh yes agreed even if healthy the Warriors were always vulnerable to the Spurs and maybe the Cavs/Thunder this year. I meant with a few injuries they might be vulnerable to us beating them!

 

[Eastoff]

If we win tonight yeah it's crazy the #1 seed is in play for the Spurs. They need to win out and have the Warriors choke one game against Memphis, Minnesota, or Memphis. Nuts.

If the Dubs still have these injuries their legitametly vulnerable in the playoffs. Iggy was finals MVP and a key member of the lineup of death. Anchored their bench on both ends. They are getting killed on the boards without Bogut/Ezeli. Teams are successfully trapping Draymond.

Think I'd rather see the Warrior stay as the #1 seed for us to beat them in round 2. Even if we lose its be a more exciting way to go down. Don't want the slow painful helpless inevitable death of the Spurs. Now if it's in the conference finals, bring on the Spurs. What a compelling storyline. Would be similar to Nash being renounced by the Mavs, getting the MVP, but the Mavs also get a franchise record in wins. I know I'm getting way ahead of myself but that's what being a delusional fanatic is all about!

Go Blazers!

we'll find out if kerr is a good coach or a great coach. IMO he needs to set strict minutes limits on the warriors until the playoffs.

 

[Cippy91]

My worst fear is that bastard Lamarcus winning a title. Anyways, this one will be interesting, they either blow us out after losing to Boston or its kept close. Either way, klay and curry is a real problem and I'm hoping dame comes out of his slump tonight because if he's still in a slump, there's no way we have a chance in this one. Harkless, aminu, hendo will be key this game if they can produce like they have been mixed with a good night from dame and some defense, it's possible

 

[Draco]

My worst fear is that bastard Lamarcus winning a title. Anyways, this one will be interesting, they either blow us out after losing to Boston or its kept close. Either way, klay and curry is a real problem and I'm hoping dame comes out of his slump tonight because if he's still in a slump, there's no way we have a chance in this one. Harkless, aminu, hendo will be key this game if they can produce like they have been mixed with a good night from dame and some defense, it's possible

For as much shit as we gave him to start the year and rightfully so he's slowly playing better now than he ever did in Portland.

Oct 10.5ppg 39.1% FG
Nov 15.9ppg 44.3%
Dec 15.9ppg 52.0%
Jan 16.7ppg 53.1%
Feb 20.5ppg 51.7%
Mar 22.6ppg 56.3%
Apr 31.0ppg 66.7%

 

[TBpup]

Damn... I was hoping it'd just say "They can't guard us." *drops mic*

Classic! Then again, we can't guard them. Klay Thompson scored a game-high 37 points (13-22 FG, 8-11 3-PT), while Stephen Curry added 34 points (13-23 FG, 7-14 3-PT) in the last game. That is 71 points on 45 shots.....ridiculous efficiency.

Injuries can always play a part and if they are without Iggy, Bogut is hurt, or Curry roles an ankle...we could give them a run in a series. Us blowing them out meant about as much as Philly blowing us out. Sometimes those things happen but it is certainly not the norm and not a true measure of where a team is.

 

[Chris Craig]

Without Iggy and Bogut this is going to be a big night for our bigs and the three amigos Harkless, Henderson, and Crabbe as well as the chief

 

[Eastoff]

I expect to see some time without plumlee and davis on the court.

 

[Chris Craig]

I expect to see some time without plumlee and davis on the court.

Small Ball the fuck out of em

 

[riverman]

I just want to see our team take it to them in this game...show some fight and put a little fear in their coddled eyes for a change...key to me is stopping Klay and Draymond...Curry will get his shots.

 

[jlprk]

I read last night (and didn't save the source, damn it) that:

In NBA history, no championship? team has ever lost to another team more than once during the championship season. If Portland wins today, and Golden State wins the championship, it will break that record.

That can't be true, so I read something similar, but not that. Is it the Warrior 54-game home win streak, which was broken last night? What the hell am I trying to remember?

 

[Draco]

I just want to see our team take it to them in this game...show some fight and put a little fear in their coddled eyes for a change...key to me is stopping Klay and Draymond...Curry will get his shots.

Draymond is leading them in assists this year; teams often focus so much on Curry he capitalizes with easy 4 on 3 offense. One of the keys is eliminating those easy backdoor layins they get. The Jazz did a great job doubling Draymond.

When the Warriors are clicking they'll get 10+ points per game on those. Force them to hit difficult threes and yes they can get hot; blow you out, but they often go cold too.

I like how we really pushed the pace against them in Portland. Playing 4 in 5 not sure we can do the same but it'll be interesting.

 

[Draco]

I read last night (and didn't save the source, damn it) that:

In NBA history, no championship? team has ever lost to another team more than once during the championship season. If Portland wins today, and Golden State wins the championship, it will break that record.

That can't be true, so I read something similar, but not that. Is it the Warrior 54-game home win streak, which was broken last night? What the hell am I trying to remember?

I think its the opposite; no champion has gone without losing to a single team twice in NBA history. In other words every NBA team has lost to an opponent twice. '96 Bulls lost to the Pacers twice. Warriors are trying to set that record by not losing to any team twice in a season. Either us or the Spurs have the chance to prevent them getting that record. I suppose theoretically Memphis as well.

Although its less of an impressive record in today's league with 30 teams. Now teams play conference opponents 3 or 4 times. Back in the day it was a minimum of 4 games sometimes more. In 1957 the Celtics and Knicks played 12 regular season games.

 

[Chris Craig]

Draymond is leading them in assists this year; teams often focus so much on Curry he capitalizes with easy 4 on 3 offense. One of the keys is eliminating those easy backdoor layins they get. The Jazz did a great job doubling Draymond.

When the Warriors are clicking they'll get 10+ points per game on those. Force them to hit difficult threes and yes they can get hot; blow you out, but they often go cold too.

I like how we really pushed the pace against them in Portland. Playing 4 in 5 not sure we can do the same but it'll be interesting.

The trick is doubling Draymond while still tightly guarding the 3...the Warriors are going to try and catch us here all night

 

[MarAzul]

Win this one and they draw the Clips instead of OKC in the first round.

 

[cardova08]

No Bogut tonight? Don't worry Speights will probably go off for 20. The key to winning this game is being able to weather the storm that will come in the form of a barrage of 3s at some point. If you look at how the Celtics won the other night, it was because they were able to match Curry shot for shot when he went off in the 3rd quarter. It's those runs that almost always bury teams and they weren't able to do it against the C's.
Without Iggy and Bogut, this team is very beatable. You need the Blazers bench to outplay the Warriors bench. Without Iggy this is doable.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Win this one and they draw the Clips instead of OKC in the first round.

 

[Cippy91]

Small ball. Up and down. Should be fun to watch. Curry is always on. Klay can catch fire like no other. I'm actually pretty hyped for this game. I think it's a loss but I believe a win is possible

 

[Tunchi]

REST DAMIAN LILLARD

The upcoming games are really much more important than having Dame burn energy now in what is almost certainly a loss no matter how well the Blazers play

 

[Cippy91]

REST DAMIAN LILLARD

The upcoming games are really much more important than having Dame burn energy now in what is almost certainly a loss no matter how well the Blazers play

Wait wait wait waaaaait. So yesterday you talked about assets and how much you want them but now you're talking about how important these next few games are? Hmmmmm

 

[Cippy91]

And if you think dame is gonna want to rest in his hometown, you're out of your mind

 

[KingSpeed]

Classic! Then again, we can't guard them. Klay Thompson scored a game-high 37 points (13-22 FG, 8-11 3-PT), while Stephen Curry added 34 points (13-23 FG, 7-14 3-PT) in the last game. That is 71 points on 45 shots.....ridiculous efficiency.

Exactly. Defense is our problem. We can score easy on them.