Game Thread GAME# 81: BLAZERS @ THUNDER - APRIL 13, 2015 - MONDAY, 5:00 PM (PST), KGW & NBATV

[Darkwebs]

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---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS RUSSELL WESTBROOK

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS DION WAITERS

SF

NICOLAS BATUM VS ANDRE ROBERSON

PF

MEYERS LEONARD VS ENES KANTER

C

ROBIN LOPEZ VS STEVEN ADAMS



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WHEN: 5:00 PM, MONDAY, 4/13/2015

WHERE: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

TV BROADCAST:

AND

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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

BLAKE , FRAZIER , CRABBE

GEE , FREELAND , KAMAN

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

AUGUSTIN , LAMB , MORROW , SINGLER

NOVAK , JONES , MCGARY , COLLISON



INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
LaMarcus Aldrdige (left foot sprain): OUT
Arron Afflalo (strained right shoulder): OUT
Dorell Wright (fractured left hand): OUT
Wesley Matthews (ruptured left Achilles’ tendon): OUT
THUNDER
Perry Jones (left ankle sprain): QUESTIONABLE
Kevin Durant (right foot surgery): OUT
Serge Ibaka (right knee surgery): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- SCOTT BROOKS




BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

• Monday marks the fourth and final regular season game between the Trail Blazers and Thunder in 2014-15.

• Portland has won each of the previous three games against Oklahoma City this season. The Trail Blazers haven’t swept the Oklahoma City organization since 2002-03 when it was the Seattle SuperSonics.

• This year marks the Trail Blazers’ first season series victory Oklahoma City since the 2009-10 season (3-1).

• Portland is 3-6 in its past nine road contests against the Thunder.

• In the most recent meeting between these two teams on Feb. 27, Portland defeated Oklahoma City, 115-112, behind a 29 point, 16 rebound performance from LaMarcus Aldridge.

• LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged 27.0 points in three games against the Thunder this season.

• Damian Lillard has averaged 26.3 points against Oklahoma City this season, including a 40-point performance (11-21 FG, 8-12 3-PT) vs. the Thunder on Dec. 23.

• The Trail Blazers have outscored Oklahoma City by 33 points in the fourth quarter this season (three games).

• Portland has made 38 of its 86 shot attempts from beyond the arc against the Thunder this season (44.1%), while Oklahoma City is shooting 24.4% from three against Portland (12-49 3-PT).

• The last time these two teams met in Oklahoma City on Dec. 23, Portland ended the fi nal 1:32 of regulation on a 13-3 run and defeated the Thunder, 115-111, in overtime. It was the first time that any team rallied back from a double-digit defi cit within the last two minutes since Cleveland did so on Jan. 2, 2014.

• Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook has averaged 39.3 points in three games against Portland this season, including two straight games with 40 points. His three games this season represent his three highest scoring outputs in 24 career games against the Trail Blazers.

• Kevin Durant hasn’t played in any of the previous three games against the Trail Blazers this season. Entering the 2014-15 season, Durant had played in all 28 of OKC’s games against Portland since joining the NBA in 2007-08 (POR was 12-16).


• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Thunder lead, 112-107
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 70-40
AT THE THUNDER: Thunder lead, 72-37

THUNDER'S OFFICIAL GAME NOTES



GO BLAZERS!!!​

 

[kjironman1]

Blazers vs Thunder pregame

Everyone who knows me knows where i stand on this game. However, there are always more than one way to look at it. I am sitting in the "Rest the Starters" house. Very simply because i see a few key players playing very poorly and lacking the intensity they will be need from them to compete in a 7 game series. I also want to avoid any further injuries. As it is they are starting CJ who is essentially the 3rd string SG. The Thunder played last night in Indiana so this is also a second of a B2B on top of the possibility they will be without Durant, Ibaka and Westbrook. If the the second unit cannot go out and bring enough energy to beat this team at this point in the season then there is something seriously wrong.

On the other hand. This is a division rival and i always like to beat OKC. There is something to be said for your team playing a good game at this point of the season. But how do you judge that anyway when none of their big 3 are playing? Dame needs to keep his streak going and maybe playing a subpar team will somehow bring all the kinks out of Nicolas Batum's shooting? That seems like kind of a reach right there. Do you think at some point we will see him let fly without that half second hesitation and bounce in his left shoulder while shuffling his feet? The last Chat Mike Richman who i presume was at the game said he was drifting left on his shot so i watched not just the last game but i went over the last 3. Mike pretty much nailed it. Put it in Slo-Mo and take a look for yourself if you like. Nic is wide open many times but looks for another option first then seems to remember he is supposed to shoot that open look? This creates a combination move where he realigns his feet and for some reason he swings or drops left a bit. It also gives the defense another step to defend and he gets a hand in his face. I am not a coach here but there has got to be something done about this? If he plays tonight? Give it a look....

The nightmare on this game will be Enes Kanter. The combination of Waiters and Kanter will be the only scoring duo this team will have if Westbrook is out. DJ Augustin and Nic Colison are formidable. Mitch McGary played way to well against the Blazers last time. I wonder if the Blazers can come up with some effective defense tonight?

Look i want a sweep of this team this year as much as anyone else but there is just no reason the bottom half of the roster cannot get this tonight.

Pick tonight is Alonzo Gee. Lets hope he gets some playing time.

Go Blazers!

kjironman is a fan!!!

 

[BBert]

Westbrick out?

We're doomed.

The OKC players should be well rested, and hungry, after weeks of being spectators in their own games.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Anyone know when we can expect the league office's decision on whether, or not, to rescind Westbrook's 16th technical?

Of even more importance, when did Adams grow the pornstache? The guy was out of the line up for few games and comes back looking like Magnum P.I.

BNM

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Anyone know when we can expect the league office's decision on whether, or not, to rescind Westbrook's 16th technical?

Of even more importance, when did Adams grow the pornstache? The guy was out of the line up for few games and comes back looking like Magnum P.I.

BNM

Westbrook is playing, just rescinded

 

[Blazer Freak]

I hate OKC as much as anyone...but wouldn't we rather them make the playoffs? They aren't winning a R1 series against GSW and they are getting a lotto pick if they miss.....I'd rather watch them get swept, get no lottery pick, and bring Scott Brooks back again for another year then see them miss the playoffs.

 

[BBert]

Westbrook is playing, just rescinded

So, we have a chance then!

 

[BBert]

I hate OKC as much as anyone...but wouldn't we rather them make the playoffs? They aren't winning a R1 series against GSW and they are getting a lotto pick if they miss.....I'd rather watch them get swept, get no lottery pick, and bring Scott Brooks back again for another year then see them miss the playoffs.

Sure. Just like the Lakers. We want them to be the worst team in the playoffs, or have the lowest odds in the lottery.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

LMA is not playing tonight.

http://forwardcenter.net/

 

[MAS RipCity]

Stotts is really rolling the dice with his rest vs. rhythm theory. I lean towards rhythm meaning more, especially with how we are playing lately.

 

[Boise Blazer]

LMA is not playing tonight.

If thats the case then Nic and Rolo shouldnt play at all and Dame should start and play the first quarter only. Quit half assing the rest plan. Do it right or dont do it at all

 

[HailBlazers]

Stotts is really rolling the dice with his rest vs. rhythm theory. I lean towards rhythm meaning more, especially with how we are playing lately.

Same here. However, we are playing so badly I think only playoff significance will get us out the funk. Not to mention, loosing Afflalo and Wright hurts us big time.

 

[S550]

Damn your sitting LMA out? wtf is going on with this team lately? Just plain dumb decisions. Why the hell wouldn't you want to build a little rythm before the playoffs start with ur star guys? You don't have to play major minutes but a little rythm going into the weekend could be nice

 

[MAS RipCity]

If thats the case then Nic and Rolo shouldnt play at all and Dame should start and play the first quarter only. Quit half assing the rest plan. Do it right or dont do it at all

THIS.

Why are we playing Dame, Nico, and RoLo heavy minutes when Aldridge is sitting and we're already down Matthews, Afflalo, and Wright?

 

[BBert]

Damn your sitting LMA out? wtf is going on with this team lately? Just plain dumb decisions. Why the hell wouldn't you want to build a little rythm before the playoffs start with ur star guys? You don't have to play major minutes but a little rythm going into the weekend could be nice

Maybe his foot hurts?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I hate OKC as much as anyone...but wouldn't we rather them make the playoffs? They aren't winning a R1 series against GSW and they are getting a lotto pick if they miss.....I'd rather watch them get swept, get no lottery pick, and bring Scott Brooks back again for another year then see them miss the playoffs.

Do you really think there is much difference between the 14th and 15th pick in the draft. Sure, the 14th pick is technically a lottery pick, but I'd rather they miss the playoffs and pick 14th than make the playoffs and pick 15th.

I think if they miss the playoffs, the organization and his teammates start to become more critical of Westbrook's "hero" ball style of play. And anything that causes doubt, turmoil and conflict within that organization is a good thing.

If they make the playoffs and get swept by GSW, I think the perception changes - that Westbrook is an actual hero for getting them to the playoffs in spite of all the injuries. No one expects them to beat GSW, so losing that series would not be a cause for doubt and desention.

BNM

 

[gatorpops]

Stotts is probably using the players that he is, so he can get the team playing together in small ball without LMA.
The small ball teams he is fielding are going to be needed in the playoffs and this is the only game experience and coaching time Stotts has to get this as oiled as possible before the playoffs. The team already knows how to play with LMA and will need to have different line ups as they go along. Whatcha think?

 

[noknobs]

If thats the case then Nic and Rolo shouldnt play at all and Dame should start and play the first quarter only. Quit half assing the rest plan. Do it right or dont do it at all

TOTALLY agree. Sit 'em all, or at least really limit their minutes, then try to find a little rhythm against Dallas. What's the point of doing it this way? At least Nic and Kaman should rest and Dame/Rolo should be limited.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Does Steven Adams really have this mustache?! Respect

 

[maxiep]

OKC has done amazing things with so many injuries. I hope we can show the same grit, and stop whining and making excuses.

 

[KingSpeed]

Has the team said anything about the foot injury and how serious it is?

 

[maxiep]

Has the team said anything about the foot injury and how serious it is?

Nope. However, it's serious enough to keep him out of some rhythm games. My guess is it's not great.

 

[KingSpeed]

OKC has done amazing things with so many injuries. I hope we can show the same grit, and stop whining and making excuses.

No they haven't. Also- who is making excuses?

 

[maxiep]

No they haven't. Also- who is making excuses?

Losing to Utah and Brooklyn without LA is an excuse. We really did lose our balls when we lost Wes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Losing to Utah and Brooklyn without LA is an excuse. We really did lose our balls when we lost Wes.

How is losing an excuse? Someone actually has to make that an excuse. Also- OKC has lost 7 of their last 10 games. Not exactly amazing. And it is YOU that is making an excuse saying we've "lost our balls" because Wes is out. You're making no sense, max.

 

[maxiep]

How is losing an excuse? Someone actually has to make that an excuse. Also- OKC has lost 7 of their last 10 games. Not exactly amazing. And it is YOU that is making an excuse saying we've "lost our balls" because Wes is out. You're making no sense, max.

Losing is an excuse. We hung our heads against two teams--Brooklyn and Utah--where we possess superior talent. All because we chose to sit a few guys. And in terms of OKC, they shouldn't have a chance of making the playoffs with all of their injuries. Yet Westbrook has put that team on his back. I'd like to see Dame do the same for us.

As for my "excuse" it was no such thing. We've played like pussies since we lost Matthews.

 

[jlprk]

Stotts is really rolling the dice with his rest vs. rhythm theory. I lean towards rhythm meaning more, especially with how we are playing lately.

If thats the case then Nic and Rolo shouldnt play at all and Dame should start and play the first quarter only. Quit half assing the rest plan. Do it right or dont do it at all

Maybe some players refuse to rest.

http://www.sportstwo.com/posts/3598959/

 

[H.C.]

Is it really rest? Or is it not forcing Aldridge to get his Thumb smashed in every game?
Personally I'd rather Aldridge/Kaman feel as good as possible come game 1

 

[S550]

That's what gets me too. Its the last few days of he season and Okc is still right there in the playoff hunt. Only a game separates them.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Yeah, not worried at all about not having LA play these games - he's our leader and nothing if not consistent - having him primed for next weekend is a good plan.