GAME THREAD: RAPTORS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 30, 2014 - TUESDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), CSN

[Darkwebs]

PROBABLE STARTERS

TORONTO RAPTORS

KYLE LOWRY (PG) , TERRENCE ROSS (SG)

JAMES JOHNSON (SF) , AMIR JOHNSON (PF)

JONAS VALANCIUNAS (C)




PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

THE RAINBROZ

NICOLAS BATUM (SF) , LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE (PF)

JOEL FREELAND (C)







WHEN: 7:00 PM, TUESDAY, 12/30/2014​

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR ​

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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



BENCH

TORONTO RAPTORS

VASQUEZ , WILLIAMS

PATTERSON , HANSBROUGH , HAYES

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

BLAKE , MCCOLLUM , CRABBE

CLAVER , ROBINSON , KAMAN




INJURIES
RAPTORS
Landry Fields (Acute gastritis): QUESTIONABLE
DeMar DeRozan (Torn left adductor longus tendon): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Nicolas Batum (Wrist sprain): PROBABLE
LaMarcus Aldrdige (Upper respiratory infection): PROBABLE
Meyers Leonard (left shoulder strain): OUT
Robin Lopez (Fractured Right Index Finger): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

DWANE CASEY--- TERRY STOTTS




BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Tuesday marks the first of two meetings between the Trail Blazers and Raptors in 2014-15.

• Portland swept the season series from Toronto last season, and has won 10 of the past 11 games against the Raptors dating back to the 2008-09 season.

• The Trail Blazers haven’t lost to Toronto at home since Dec. of 2006. Toronto has won just four career games in Portland, the fewest of any NBA team.

• LaMarcus Aldridge’s 23 rebounds on Jan. 20, 2012 against Toronto is the most rebounds by any Trail Blazer against the Raptors in franchise history.

• LaMarcus Aldridge scored a team-high 27 points and hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds against Toronto in the last meeting between these two teams, a game Portland won 106-103.

• LaMarcus Aldridge has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles against the Raptors dating back to March of 2010.

• After shooting 0-of-8 from beyond the arc in his first three games against Toronto, Wesley Matthews is 16-of-27 for three in his last five games vs. the Raptors (.592).

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 25-10
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 13-4
AT THE RAPTORS: Trail Blazers lead, 12-6

[color=#RED]

GO BLAZERS!!!​

[/COLOR]

 

[Darkwebs]

POR vs. TOR, 12/30/14

TOR: 24-7, 1st in Titanic Division, 1st in East

Our last game: W v. NYK, 101-79

Matthews made six 3-pointers and finished with 28 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 101-79 victory over the short-handed New York Knicks.

Matthews, around when the Blazers perfected the so-called "3 Goggles" some four years ago, and then toyed with the "3 Holster" gesture, now punctuates his 3-pointers by shooing an imaginary arrow.

Matthews, who leads the NBA with 106 3-pointers this season, made five 3s in the first half against the Knicks. Teammate Nicolas Batum had five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points.

The Blazers went 16 for 36 from long range on the night. They have made at least 10 3s in five of their last six games.

"It's contagious. It was just a good vibe from the jump," Matthews said. "I think I missed the first one, but then Nic hit one, Damian (Lillard) hit one and I think the floodgates really opened."

Their last game: W @ DEN, 116-102, 12/28/14

Lowry had 30 points and 11 assists, and Raptors beat the Nuggets 116-102 on Sunday night.

Williams scored 31 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Raptors completed a sweep of the season series against Denver. They also beat the Nuggets 112-107 in overtime on Dec. 8.

The Raptors, who have won seven of eight, got 10 points apiece from Lowry and Williams in a 28-point fourth quarter.

"Lou got hot and made some shots and we stuck with our principles," Lowry said. "We knew if we stayed the course and played our game we'd be all right."

Injuries: LMA (Probable), Leonard (inactive, shoulder), Lopez (inactive, hand)
TOR: Fields (questionable), DeRozan (out)

CBSsports.com(1) After a disappointing start to their road trip (what feels like the first time they've used their passports all year), the Raptors rebound from a loss to Chicago to humiliate the Clippers in Los Angeles, then win in Denver on the dreaded back-to-back. Toronto has done everything you can ask a team to do to show it's a legit contender, and have captured the hearts of NBA fans across the nation.

Covers.com (2) Look at this. I'm done underselling the Raptors, who jump seven spots this week past nearly all the Western Conference teams. They average 112 PPG on the road!

ESPN (6) Make it four double-doubles (and nearly five) in the last eight games for Kyle Lowry after four in his first 20 games this season. Don't think he has to worry about All-Star snubs this February, though we must note Toronto is shooting roughly eight fewer FTs per game with DeMar DeRozan out.

Washington Post: (6) The Raptors have re-branded their image by issuing a logo – including a black and gold alternative – that has received mixed reviews from their fans. Rapper Drake has taken some of the blame but recently distanced himself from the process, stating that he wasn’t involved.

Link to Grandpa Blaze's Prediction Game

The best team we play this homestand. They're solid on D and really good on O, and LMA is going to be limited/rusty, but Wes and Dame are on fire, and Nic showed some life, and the bench bigs have been playing well. Too much at Moda, and Wessy Wes holds Lowry down.

Us 116
Them 104

 

[Darkwebs]

How do you guys like the Raptors' new official logo, which was just released about 10 days ago? With their new slogan, "We The North" and new logo, it appears the Raptors are trying to rebrand themselves. It makes me wonder when the Blazers will do so.

 

[Blazersfan161]

Now this will be a good one

 

[THE HCP]

It makes me wonder when the Blazers will do so.

We are actually more "NORTH" then they are and we don't need to rebrand. Our pinwheels is one of the most legit and classy logos in professional sports. Ask the Sixers what happens when you try to mess with a good thing.

 

[PDXFonz]

We are actually more "NORTH" then they are and we don't need to rebrand. Our pinwheels is one of the most legit and classy logos in professional sports. Ask the Sixers what happens when you try to mess with a good thing.

100%. Changing the Rose Garden to Moda Center was an outrage, changing the logo would be unforgivable. If you don't like the pinwheel then you have no business being a blazer fan!

 

[julius]

I like their new logo, but I have to admit that's because their old one was so bad.

As for Portland "re-branding", they don't need to. If they do ANYTHING, just tilt the pinwheel back to it's original roots (although it's been tilted longer than it was upright) and maybe go back to a simpler design on the uniforms.

As for the game. Toronto is on a hot streak (8-1 in their last 9), but that hot streak was against 7 teams below .500 (including the Knicks twice), and only 2 winning teams. They lost to Chicago, but beat the Clippers in LA. And while I'm not saying this to take away anything from their win in LA, there is something wrong with the Clippers. Not that their record is bad, but they're kind of middle of the road right now. Not sure if it's injuries, or what.

Anyway, Toronto is a good team. They could beat Portland especially if LaMarcus is out, but the Blazers should win. It should be a good game, and I hope Damian and co are up for it. A loss will suck, but I think it's worse in the sense that it gives OKC a better shot at winning the division.

But any (and every) chance Portland gets at winning games against the best in each conference, they need to take advantage of it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

it appears the Raptors are trying to rebrand themselves. It makes me wonder when the Blazers will do so.

Hopefully never. Best logo in pro sports. Even Bill Simmons likes it.

 

[Darkwebs]

This is going to be a good test to see where we are at. Hope LMA is healthy because we'll probably need him. I expect to see a good game. Can't wait!

 

[Boise Blazer]

I said it in another thread but I feel like this is a good opportunity to make a statement. The first of two of the best eastern teams. This shouldnt be hard to get motivated for. My only concern is LMA showing a little rust and throwing off our offense.

Raptors

2014-15 OVERALL NBA RANKINGS

POINTS PER GAME
108.5
2nd

REBOUNDS PER GAME
41.4
22nd

ASSISTS PER GAME
21.1
16th

POINTS ALLOWED
100.1
15th

Blazers

POINTS PER GAME
104.0
6th

REBOUNDS PER GAME
46.6
1st

ASSISTS PER GAME
23.1
8th

POINTS ALLOWED
96.5
3rd

So basically we need to play our game.

1) Not get in a shoot out
2) Rebound well

 

[julius]

the PPG defensive isn't an end all be all for how good a defensive team is, but compared to last year it's a HUGE improvement.

They allowed 103 ppg last year, and were 22nd in the NBA for that. Their defensive rating last year (according to basketball-reference) was 16th in the league, this year they're 2nd.

By comparison, the Raptors are 18th this year in defensive rating, and that's a significant drop off from last year where they were 10th.

Should be an exciting game.

 

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/matchup/raptors-trail-blazers-2014-12-30

Offensive Stat Comparison
TOR POR
Points/Game 108.5 104.0
Avg Score Margin +8.4 +7.5
Fastbreak Pts/Gm 13.1 10.0
Pts in Paint/Gm 44.7 37.5
Assists/Game 21.1 23.1
Total Rebounds/Gm 50.5 53.9
Effective FG % 51.8% 51.3%
Off Rebound % 27.2% 25.4%
FTA/FGA 0.310 0.226
Turnover % 10.7% 12.9%


Defensive Stat Comparison
TOR POR
Opp Points/Game 100.1 96.5
Opp Effective FG % 50.6% 45.9%
Opp Pts in Paint/Gm 41.6 44.9
Off Rebounds/Gm 11.4 11.2
Def Rebounds/Gm 30.1 35.4
Blocks/Game 4.4 5.3
Steals/Game 7.4 6.8
Personal Fouls/Gm 22.0 19.7

 

[BBert]

How do you guys like the Raptors' new official logo, which was just released about 10 days ago? With their new slogan, "We The North" and new logo, it appears the Raptors are trying to rebrand themselves. It makes me wonder when the Blazers will do so.

The logo is 'meh' but the slogan is dumb on its face, and dumber in reality. I hope someone brings a sign to the game that says "WE the Northier", or "Northiest" or somesuch.

 

[BBert]

100%. Changing the Rose Garden to Moda Center was an outrage, changing the logo would be unforgivable. If you don't like the pinwheel then you have no business being a blazer fan!

Speaking of which, am I the only one who HATED the white uniforms and crappy ugly design on the shorts the Blazers wore in the Philly Game? Yuck.

 

[julius]

Speaking of which, am I the only one who HATED the white uniforms and crappy ugly design on the shorts the Blazers wore in the Philly Game? Yuck.

did you mean the Rip City ones? I think it's well documented that a lot of us liked the Rip City uniforms, just not when they were T-shirts.

btw, in a post that is unrelated to your post, the rebounding #'s above (on Boise Blazers post) must be % of rebounds, not rebound totals.

 

[Boise Blazer]

did you mean the Rip City ones? I think it's well documented that a lot of us liked the Rip City uniforms, just not when they were T-shirts.

btw, the rebounding #'s above (on Boise Blazers post) must be % of rebounds, not rebound totals.

Yeah that doesnt look right does it? The link is in the post of where I got it from.

Looks like this:

Edit: Could be this too

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/reboundRate

 

[riverman]

How do you guys like the Raptors' new official logo, which was just released about 10 days ago? With their new slogan, "We The North" and new logo, it appears the Raptors are trying to rebrand themselves. It makes me wonder when the Blazers will do so.

looks way too much like the Nets logo. I'm not a fan.

 

[BBert]

did you mean the Rip City ones? I think it's well documented that a lot of us liked the Rip City uniforms, just not when they were T-shirts.

btw, in a post that is unrelated to your post, the rebounding #'s above (on Boise Blazers post) must be % of rebounds, not rebound totals.

Maybe I have my games mixed up but I didn't care for the v-neck t-shirts, but the shorts especially were horrible. Stick to the pinwheel, dammit.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

From those stats, it appears that fastbreak points and points in the paint are going to be key tomorrow. Have to limit the "easy" baskets.

 

[magnifier661]

From those stats, it appears that fastbreak points and points in the paint are going to be key tomorrow. Have to limit the "easy" baskets.

Yeah Kyle Lowry is a strong guard to boot. Dame must keep him from getting into the paint. I want this win badly!

 

[Boise Blazer]

Yeah Kyle Lowry is a strong guard to boot. Dame must keep him from getting into the paint. I want this win badly!

Yeah, dont get me wrong I want to win all games and both games against TOR and ATL but if I had to choose one of the 2 to win it would be TOR

 

[Blazersfan161]

Lillard vs lowry will be great to watch

 

[Boise Blazer]

[TWEET]549650442750152704[/TWEET]

[TWEET]549650718433357824[/TWEET]

[TWEET]549650853217333248[/TWEET]

 

[magnifier661]

[TWEET]549650442750152704[/TWEET]

[TWEET]549650718433357824[/TWEET]

[TWEET]549650853217333248[/TWEET]

That's pretty cool!

 

[KeepOnRollin]

[TWEET]549715279752609793[/TWEET]

 

[riverman]

This may be a preview game to the championship round. The Raptors are actually good and well coached. Stotts against Casey is a real chess match. Both guys know the others game pretty well.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

[TWEET]549715279752609793[/TWEET]

He's seriously coming on strong! British Bulldog!

 

[Blazersfan161]

Will LA be back?

 

[KingSpeed]

Will LA be back?

He practiced and is a game time decision.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

[TWEET]549715279752609793[/TWEET]

oh SHIT! I didnt realize he was THAT good, though ive been a big fan of his ability to go up without fouling, and his offensive rebounding.