GAME THREAD: HEAT @ BLAZERS - 12/28/13, SATURDAY, 7 PM (PST), KGW

[OneLifeToLive]

The Blazers are one of the best teams in the league. This is indisputable if you look at their record. At the same time, it's not wrong to say they have major issues on defense.

It's catching up with them.

 

[B-Roy]

The defense needs work, but how is that relevant to your response? I responded to someone saying this is why defense wins, but if Bosh missed that 3, then the argument doesn't work.

Get it?

I don't see how it's not relevant. If they played better defense, Miami wouldn't even be in the position to win or tie the game with 8 seconds left.

Get it?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Except the Blazers don't play at a high pace, they are average. Tied for 12th.

When your ORtg is as high as Portland's, an average pace is amplified.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't see how it's not relevant. If they played better defense, Miami wouldn't even be in the position to win or tie the game with 8 seconds left.

Get it?

Or maybe if we protected the fucking ball in the fourth. The turn overs weren't forced. Lazy passes. Lost 4 possessions because of it and 4 points.

Get it?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It's catching up with them.

It's true. Three losses this month after two in November and one in October. At this rate, we'll lose 4 in January, 5 in Feb, 6 in Mar, and 7 in April... Might only win 54-55 games this season.

 

[B-Roy]

When your ORtg is as high as Portland's, an average pace is amplified.

Or its cause you know... They're 22nd in defensive efficiency. Why does everyone keep sugarcoating the defense? It's not really a stretch to say the defense has been poor. It caught up to them this game.

 

[TBpup]

If Portland were able to play the kind of 'D' that Miami did without LeBron, they would be unbeatable.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't see how it's not relevant. If they played better defense, Miami wouldn't even be in the position to win or tie the game with 8 seconds left.

Get it?

The fact is, Miami missed a ton of wide open shots in the 4th. We could have lost by 6 to 8 points, but we got extremely lucky.

 

[B-Roy]

Or maybe if we protected the fucking ball in the fourth. The turn overs weren't forced. Lazy passes. Lost 4 possessions because of it and 4 points.

Get it?

If you want to ignore the defensive issues that's your decision. I have serious doubts about how far they can go in the post season if they keep defending like this. I'm not worried about the regular season at all.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Or its cause you know... They're 22nd in defensive efficiency. Why does everyone keep sugarcoating the defense? It's not really a stretch to say the defense has been poor. It caught up to them this game.

I'm not saying our defense isn't bad. I was addressing the pace statement only.

 

[Sinobas]

The most maddening thing tonight was the turnovers, my God, Mo Williams and Lillard threw some terrible passes. You can't say the Blazers deserved this game, the Heat came in and beat them without Lebron.

Hate to say this, but the Blazers are not legit contenders. They will not get far in the playoffs with this bench and their defensive issues. Just imagine what the Heat would have done to us if Lebron was playing.

 

[magnifier661]

If you want to ignore the defensive issues that's your decision. I have serious doubts about how far they can go in the post season if they keep defending like this. I'm not worried about the regular season at all.

I'm not ignoring it one bit. I've said my fair share of needs. But if you want to respond to someone that said, we lost because we didn't play good defense is bullshit. This game was ours and we handed it away.

Not swayed, with you trying to turn what I said around for your own agenda.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

It's true. Three losses this month after two in November and one in October. At this rate, we'll lose 4 in January, 5 in Feb, 6 in Mar, and 7 in April... Might only win 54-55 games this season.

And you know what? I'm fine with that as should every other blazer fan. Progression made.

 

[BrianFromWA]

After giving LMA mucho credit when he was playing LaMonster ball, here's how he's played in the last 2 weeks (all against really good players, and with 2 losses and 3 close wins):

MIA: Bosh 15-26, 37pts/10 reb. LMA 9-20 (4 FT), 22pts/7reb
LAC: Griffin 15-27 (5FT) 35/11, LMA 15-31 (2FT), 32/10
NOH: Davis 8-13 (8FT), 21/9, LMA 8-24 (2FT), 18/8
MIN: Love 10-18 (6FT). 29/15/9ast, LMA 7-22 (1FT), 15/14
CLE: Thompson 7-11 (4FT) 15/11, LMA 11-22 (6FT), 26/15

 

[Strenuus]

The most maddening thing tonight was the turnovers, my God, Mo Williams and Lillard threw some terrible passes. You can't say the Blazers deserved this game, the Heat came in and beat them without Lebron.

Hate to say this, but the Blazers are not legit contenders. They will not get far in the playoffs with this bench and their defensive issues. Just imagine what the Heat would have done to us if Lebron was playing.

It was the turnovers more than the defense. The defense was definitely part of it, and it is terrible... but good god the turnovers killed ANY momentum we had when they (the heat) were cold and we were up 5-7 points. That's where we really lost the game, IMO.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

The most maddening thing tonight was the turnovers, my God, Mo Williams and Lillard threw some terrible passes. You can't say the Blazers deserved this game, the Heat came in and beat them without Lebron.

Hate to say this, but the Blazers are not legit contenders. They will not get far in the playoffs with this bench and their defensive issues. Just imagine what the Heat would have done to us if Lebron was playing.

The loss still only counts as one, LeBron or not. And we don't have to play Miami until the finals, which, if we get there, means we're title contenders, period. Will we get there? Probably not. But I think we're going to see what this team is really made of in the next 30 games.

 

[Strenuus]

After giving LMA mucho credit when he was playing LaMonster ball, here's how he's played in the last 2 weeks (all against really good players, and with 2 losses and 3 close wins):

MIA: Bosh 15-26, 37pts/10 reb. LMA 9-20 (4 FT), 22pts/7reb
LAC: Griffin 15-27 (5FT) 35/11, LMA 15-31 (2FT), 32/10
NOH: Davis 8-13 (8FT), 21/9, LMA 8-24 (2FT), 18/8
MIN: Love 10-18 (6FT). 29/15/9ast, LMA 7-22 (1FT), 15/14
CLE: Thompson 7-11 (4FT) 15/11, LMA 11-22 (6FT), 26/15

So... these are bad numbers?

 

[B-Roy]

I'm not saying our defense isn't bad. I was addressing the pace statement only.

Alright, makes sense.

 

[Strenuus]

The loss still only counts as one, LeBron or not. And we don't have to play Miami until the finals, which, if we get there, means we're title contenders, period. Will we get there? Probably not. But I think we're going to see what this team is really made of in the next 30 games.

We play them in Miami in late march.

 

[BrianFromWA]

what's your conclusion?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

We play them in Miami in late march.

That's one game, probably a loss.

 

[B-Roy]

I'm not ignoring it one bit. I've said my fair share of needs. But if you want to respond to someone that said, we lost because we didn't play good defense is bullshit. This game was ours and we handed it away.

Not swayed, with you trying to turn what I said around for your own agenda.

I'm not attacking you in any way. If you're taking it that way then I'm sorry. Either way there's no need to be so defensive.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

The Blazer have won more than their fair share of games at the buzzer....the odds caught up with them on one night. Great effort by the Heat and you have to appreciate their effort with the the league MVP. Portland seemed to let down a bit and not be very focused. It may be only one game but it is a statement game against the 2-time champs and they didn't pass.

Doesn't mean they aren't good or still aren't a top team but they lost, Heat won....next game. Let's see how they do against OKC without Westbrook.

I really disagree with the argument about odds. This argument actually ignores who's favor "the odds" are in.

Portland leads the NBA in 3pt% and FT% it's not odds that they lost in the last minute. It's dumb luck that the Heat won in the last minute.

Granted the larger picture was Portland knew Miami would be in the passing lanes, and continued to gift them the ball. 17 turnovers. Sloppy.

 

[Strenuus]

That's one game, probably a loss.

Too far away to say any of that right now.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

what's your conclusion?

The two losses came against long bombing big men. Four of our six losses have come against teams that stretch LA's defense.

 

[Sinobas]

Mo Williams 1-5 5 turnovers in 25 minutes. We need a new god damn backup PG. He really cost us this game with his stupid turnovers.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm not attacking you in any way. If you're taking it that way then I'm sorry. Either way there's no need to be so defensive.

Awe man I'm sorry too. Just a little pissed we gave this game away. This was ours. Miami just does well in Portland. The good thing is we do well in Miami. Time for us to take a game back

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Mo Williams 1-5 5 turnovers in 25 minutes. We need a new god damn backup PG.

Did you cone to this conclusion before or after he tripped over the ball.

 

[julius]

I hate to think what will happen here if they lose to OKC on Tuesday.

 

[Strenuus]

The two losses came against long bombing big men. Four of our six losses have come against teams that stretch LA's defense.

This was one of my fears of Bosh against LMA. Now, I know Bosh was at the 5... but anytime LMA gets stretched, he's just not quick enough. I had a bad feeling about Bosh having a good night... DAMNIT!