Game Thread GAME# 8: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 1, 2018 - THURSDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), TNT

[Chris Craig]

They will probably go with same strategy they did in the playoffs try to trap Dame up top. You might see Stotts go with Curry or Nik or Turner with CJ and Dame a lot this game. If Aminu continue to shot like he is you might see Zach and Nurk for the first time together.

I suspect we wil see both Zach and Nurk at times Thursday. Stotts is probably going to try and put Aminu on the brow to start. I say start Zach.

 

[Chris Craig]

Do you have a doctors approval to do this? lol.

No. But, I am feeling mostly healed from the pre op procedures I went through. They really took a toll on my esophogus and throat. Still waiting for test results and an appointment with the suregon.

Gotta be at this game!

 

[Hoopguru]

Id say the Pelicans are one of the teams we just haven't matched up well against the last few years. Stoping Mirotic from going nuts will be key too.
We will need points from our forward positions and Nurk is going to have to contribute.

 

[Chris Craig]

Id say the Pelicans are one of the teams we just haven't matched up well against the last few years. Stoping Mirotic from going nuts will be key too.
We will need points from our forward positions and Nurk is going to have to contribute.

I think Zach would play well vs Mirotic. I don't like Aminu against this team. He better hit some 3s cause he is going to be open.

 

[Chris Craig]

I can't stand Gentry's face

 

[Boob-No-More]

They have Payton who’s been great on both ends. It’s not gonna be easy for CJ.

Payton is listed as doubtful (right ankle sprain) for tonight's game at GSW. So, he may (or may not) be out tomorrow.

Davis is listed as questionable (elbow) for tonight. They'll probably sit him and give him an extra day off to heal before playing in POR tomorrow. No sense aggravating his injury playing back-to-back and POR is the more winnable game for them.

BNM

 

[Hoopguru]

Since the 2012 season when Davis & Lillard were rooks: Reg Season wins
New Orleans - won 222 games
Portland - won 277

NO Conf finish:
012 - 14
013 - 12
014 - 8
015 - 12
016 - 10
017 - 6
018 - 6

PDX Conf Finish:
012 - 11
013 - 5
014 - 4
015 - 5
016 - 8
017 - 3
018 - 3

I realize that davis has been injury prone for most of his career but that's part of it. We too have had our issues with injuries over the years. Part of the game.
Im not sure how Neil doesn't come out clearly on top, considering toughness of conference, and not as high of draft pics, couple with a much better winning percentage and conference seeding.

 

[tlongII]

I'd like to see Zach on AD. He'll probably get in foul trouble, but it will be good experience for him.

 

[trailblazer18]

It's a graphical representation of what happened in the NBA Playoffs.

I figured...but still hurts to see it.

 

[illmatic99]

I'd like to see Zach on AD. He'll probably get in foul trouble, but it will be good experience for him.

I'd rather him than Nurk or Aminu. Refs hate Zach still. I wonder if Gobert/Draymond/etc had these foul issues initially before refs started letting them get away with more contact.

 

[TBpup]

Pels had 'Playoff Rondo' last year and that was a big part of how they shut down Dame. Portland will still struggle with mobile/perimeter bigs so Nurkic is going to have to man up and "Bad MF'er" will need to have a big game as well.

 

[Driew]

NO on a back to back after playing in Oakland tonight.

Doesn't mean much any team playing the warriors will be resting their starters in the fourth.

BTW.... didn't the league say they wanted to stop b2bs for teams playing national televised games?

 

[Strenuus]

No. But, I am feeling mostly healed from the pre op procedures I went through. They really took a toll on my esophogus and throat. Still waiting for test results and an appointment with the suregon.

Gotta be at this game!

Be careful, my friend. I don't want you to get hurt 8 games in.

 

[riverman]

This is an early test game...winning it will stop the sweep hangover from the playoffs...I like our chances. We can win without Dame and CJ dominating a game this season...Go Blazers!

 

[THE HCP]

The HCP said no to working this game....... who is inviting him over to their mom's basement to watch the game with you?

 

[Labinot41]

Positive: we are 9th in defensiv rating and 5th in offensiv rating right now

Negative: 28th in Assist per Game and dead last in AST%, so nothing has changed compared to last year in that category

 

[Boob-No-More]

I'd rather him than Nurk or Aminu. Refs hate Zach still. I wonder if Gobert/Draymond/etc had these foul issues initially before refs started letting them get away with more contact.

Draymond Green first two seasons PF/36 = 5.4 and 4.6. He becomes starter his third year and his PF/36 drops to 3.7.

Rudy Gobert rookie year PF/36 = 4.7. Second season he becomes a starter and his PF/36 drops to 2.9.

BNM

 

[Eastoff]

No. But, I am feeling mostly healed from the pre op procedures I went through. They really took a toll on my esophogus and throat. Still waiting for test results and an appointment with the suregon.

Gotta be at this game!

Might I suggest you constantly consume hard candies to discourage yelling. You really yell so loud you're wrecking your throat.

 

[Eastoff]

The HCP said no to working this game....... who is inviting him over to their mom's basement to watch the game with you?

Sure, just drive out to Tualatin! I'll ever offer you a hard cider or two.

 

[BBert]

2017-18 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
4 - 2
(1-1 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
5 - 2
(2-1 Home)

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


-------- NEW ORLEANS PELICANS --------

JRUE HOLIDAY (PG) , ELFRID PAYTON (SG)

E’TWAUN MOORE (SF) , NIKOLA MIROTIC (PF)

ANTHONY DAVIS (C)


----PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS----

DAMIAN LILLARD (PG) , C.J. McCOLLUM (SG)

JAKE LAYMAN (SF) , AL-FAROUQ AMINU (PF)

JUSUF NURKIC (C)

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

---

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


WHEN: 7:30 PM (PST), THURSDAY, 11/1/2018

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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



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

---- NEW ORLEANS PELICANS ----

FRAZIER , CLARK , JACKSON

BLUIETT , JOHNSON , HILL

MILLER , DIALLO

RANDLE , OKAFOR

---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

HARKLESS , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , LEONARD


INJURIES
PELICANS
Anthony Davis (Right Elbow Sprain): PROBABLE
Elfrid Payton (Right Ankle Sprain): QUESTIONABLE
Darius Miller (Right Quad Contusion): QUESTIONABLE
TRAIL BLAZERS
Moe Harkless (left knee soreness): QUESTIONABLE



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

ALVIN GENTRY --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL PELICANS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

​

That's cold, bruh!

Revenge game!

 

[rotary111]

The HCP said no to working this game....... who is inviting him over to their mom's basement to watch the game with you?

My mom said she would microwave a fresh batch of pizza rolls and hot pockets as long as we're not too loud during the game.

She also mumbled something about you helping her with that thing she likes again???

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'd rather him than Nurk or Aminu. Refs hate Zach still. I wonder if Gobert/Draymond/etc had these foul issues initially before refs started letting them get away with more contact.

Yeah Nurk can't chase AD all over the court. Very tough match up because if you put someone small on him for the perimeter, he cuts inside and gets easy alley oops. And It's not like Nurk can cover Mirotic on the perimeter either.

 

[BBert]

They have no Rondo. I expect one of Dame or CJ to go OFF.

And we added shooters to help with that.

 

[hoopsjock]

I chose Dell Demps. I chose him because not only did he get boogie, but I feel like WE should have Mirotic right now.

Well they lost Cousins for nothing and the Mirotic move, while good, doesn't make up for the other several years of absolute incompetence.

 

[Boob-No-More]

And we added shooters to help with that.

We also need to avoid running the high pick and roll with Nurk and Dame every time down the court. That may work well against a team like HOU, but against NOP it plays right into their hand. It lets AD swarm Dame and shut down our offense 25 - 30 feet from the basket. When Nurk is in the game, plant his big, powerful Bosnian ass down on the low block. If they put AD on him, that eliminates the double team on Dame. If they put Mirotic on him, FEED THE BEAST. Terry needs to learn to play to his strengths, not let the opposing coach dictate the style of play. A player like Nurk creates mismatches, both good and bad, at both ends. If you're going to play him, play to his strengths.

BNM

 

[hoopsjock]

We also need to avoid running the high pick and roll with Nurk and Dame every time down the court. That may work well against a team like HOU, but against NOP it plays right into their hand. It lets AD swarm Dame and shut down our offense 25 - 30 feet from the basket. When Nurk is in the game, plant his big, powerful Bosnian ass down on the low block. If they put AD on him, that eliminates the double team on Dame. If they put Mirotic on him, FEED THE BEAST. Terry needs to learn to play to his strengths, not let the opposing coach dictate the style of play. A player like Nurk creates mismatches, both good and bad, at both ends. If you're going to play him, play to his strengths.

BNM

I like when the Blazers plant Nurk on the baseline and let Dame get a pick from someone else or just go one on one. If/when Dame gets by his man that either leaves him for a layup or an easy assist if Nurk's man helps. This happened several times last night.

 

[BBert]

We also need to avoid running the high pick and roll with Nurk and Dame every time down the court. That may work well against a team like HOU, but against NOP it plays right into their hand. It lets AD swarm Dame and shut down our offense 25 - 30 feet from the basket. When Nurk is in the game, plant his big, powerful Bosnian ass down on the low block. If they put AD on him, that eliminates the double team on Dame. If they put Mirotic on him, FEED THE BEAST. Terry needs to learn to play to his strengths, not let the opposing coach dictate the style of play. A player like Nurk creates mismatches, both good and bad, at both ends. If you're going to play him, play to his strengths.

BNM

This makes too much sense.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I like when the Blazers plant Nurk on the baseline and let Dame get a pick from someone else or just go one on one. If/when Dame gets by his man that either leaves him for a layup or an easy assist if Nurk's man helps. This happened several times last night.

Yes, Dame was constantly blowing by Chris Paul last night. If Payton is out tomorrow, they'll move Holiday to the point, which isn't a good thing for Dame, but it also means more minutes for Tim Frazier, which is a good thing.

Of course, it wasn't just Holiday that gave Dame fits during the playoffs, it was the double team from Anthony Davis. It wasn't like Dame struggled against Holiday during the regular season (he lit him up for 41 in the last regular season meeting). The key is avoiding the double team. Get Nurk down low, and like you said, use someone else to set the screen, or let Dame break down his man off the dribble. Play to our strengths, not theirs.

BNM

 

[Boise Blazer]

This makes too much sense.

Yeah BNM logic is for LOSERS!

 

[SIeepwalker]

@Boob-No-More Why aren't you coaching the Blazers ?