Keys to Winning Game 5

[magnifier661]

Now that game 4 is over, what adjustments will be made?

McHale made a "small ball" adjustment, plus using the "tight pick-n-roll" with Harden and Howard. I think Stotts found the counter, trapping the handler before the play can get set, plus adding T. Rob in spurts to take advantage.

What adjustments you think McHale will make?

What adjustments you think Stotts will make?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

We need to score more points than Houston. We can do this by hitting a higher percentage of more shots. There are generally two methods to achieving this: preventing makes/shots by the opponent, or creating more shots for both teams, and hoping the other team misses more than you.

These are called "defense" and "offense".

I can go deeper on the subject if you're interested.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I think the gameplan on defense is continue to single cover Harden and Dwight and make them beat you on ISOs so they freeze everyone else out.

On offense we need to see more attacking. Nobody can stop Batum and his length right now from getting lay-ins... Lillard also needs to attack more.

 

[magnifier661]

We need to score more points than Houston. We can do this by hitting a higher percentage of more shots. There are generally two methods to achieving this: preventing makes/shots by the opponent, or creating more shots for both teams, and hoping the other team misses more than you.

These are called "defense" and "offense".

I can go deeper on the subject if you're interested.

please do

 

[BlazerBeav]

Bring the fight to them early - if things don't go well for them from the start, that mentally weak team may just fold.

 

[illmatic99]

There are no more significant adjustments either team can make. 8 games against the team has showed us pretty much everything possible.

Key is playing harder and with a killer instinct. Can't be complacent at all. No more stupid mistakes at the ends of games. Get em down by ~5-10 in the fourth and they're gonna just press even more mentally.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Bring the fight to them early - if things don't go well for them from the start, that mentally weak team may just fold.

This is big... We need to come out thirsty for the obvious blood in the water. Dictate the pace of the game for the entire game... Would be nice if we pull a Charlotte performance out of our asses too with 21 threes.

 

[magnifier661]

Bring the fight to them early - if things don't go well for them from the start, that mentally weak team may just fold.

I agree with this.... If we come out the gate with a 10 point lead, game maybe over.

 

[crandc]

I agree, game plans are pretty known after 4 games. It comes down to basic execution, NBA 101. Make your free throws (thank you Schonz), take care of the ball, keep your head in the game, e.g., don't make low percentage shots with 15 seconds on the shot clock.

Houston obviously is going to be fighting for their lives. Portland CANNOT take the attitude that, well, we have another game at home.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Although it's hard to avoid in this series, the Blazers don't want a close game going into the last 5 minutes . . . got a feeling Houston will be getting all the calls at that point. Got to ride a double digit lead going into that 5 min mark.

 

[Prue]

Only key that matters: Have more points than them at the end.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Rebound, play some defense, move the ball, and get the fifty-fifty balls. If the Blazers do that more than Houston they'll win.

The refs don't matter because they've shown themselves to be incompetent going both ways, but even if there is a critical blown call looming out there in the future, the Blazers have to play well enough to take it out of the hands of the refs, or they're just playing with fire.

 

[damianlillard]

easy, have aldridge go off in the beginning, put meyers in and punch dwight howard in the head don't care if he get erected. then let batum and wesley play defense and steal the ball from harden, damian go into a curry 3 point mode in the 3rd quarters, if we follow this we will win by 25.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

easy, have aldridge go off in the beginning, put meyers in and punch dwight howard in the head don't care if he get erected. then let batum and wesley play defense and steal the ball from harden, damian go into a curry 3 point mode in the 3rd quarters, if we follow this we will win by 25.

I would certainly care...

 

[Eastoff]

I agree that we need to keep improve our rebounding. Last night was the first game we got more than Houston, and it was just by 1.

 

[maxiep]

We need to score more points than Houston. We can do this by hitting a higher percentage of more shots. There are generally two methods to achieving this: preventing makes/shots by the opponent, or creating more shots for both teams, and hoping the other team misses more than you.

These are called "defense" and "offense".

I can go deeper on the subject if you're interested.

As a famed internet coach with insights no one else has, I told them to do this: http://sportstwo.com/threads/261981-Thanks-for-listening-Blazers

You're welcome.

 

[B-Roy]

BOX OUT.

Blazers allowed 14 second chance points in the first half. 1 in the second and the Blazers came away with the win. If they come out sharp in the first quarter the Rockets will fold.

 

[maxiep]

Seriously, what this team needs to do is punch Houston in the mouth AT THE BEGINNING OF THE GAME. Houston comes out with a huge amount of energy while we seem to pace ourselves and get the feel of the game before we make our move. Come out with more energy than they do. Come out with more hustle. No second chances. Crash the defensive boards.

I often don't agree with Antonio Harvey, but if we play hard and get an early lead, Houston will pack it in. They're so talented, but they just don't seem to have the mental toughness necessary to overcome adversity.

 

[BBert]

I think the gameplan on defense is continue to single cover Harden and Dwight and make them beat you on ISOs so they freeze everyone else out.

On offense we need to see more attacking. Nobody can stop Batum and his length right now from getting lay-ins... Lillard also needs to attack more.

I like the way Batum lulls the other team, and this boards fans, to sleep and then BATUM! he drives to the basket or hits a three. Just when you least expect it.

 

[magnifier661]

BOX OUT.

Blazers allowed 14 second chance points in the first half. 1 in the second and the Blazers came away with the win. If they come out sharp in the first quarter the Rockets will fold.

I think the small ball really fucked with us bad. Only until Stotts brought in T. Rob, was when our team finally answered the call.

We need to really focus on making Houston have to adjust to our advantages... In the first Half, we played Houston style basketball. The second half, we decided to force Houston to play our ball. I think winning the adjustment battle is key. Stotts must prove he is the better coach and force McHale to scramble to answer mismatches.

 

[B-Roy]

I think the small ball really fucked with us bad. Only until Stotts brought in T. Rob, was when our team finally answered the call.

We need to really focus on making Houston have to adjust to our advantages... In the first Half, we played Houston style basketball. The second half, we decided to force Houston to play our ball. I think winning the adjustment battle is key. Stotts must prove he is the better coach and force McHale to scramble to answer mismatches.

I'd play TRob when Houston subs in TJones. Jones has been pretty good at getting them second chance points and we could use TRob to counter his energy.

 

[BBert]

If we get too big of a lead early, the refs will completely take over and swing momentum to the Rockettes big time. The rope-a-dope then finish them off late is a fine strategy. Tire them out in the process with our bench then crank up the defense in the fourth. And I'll have another helping of TRob, thank you.

 

[KingSpeed]

I feel very good about this game. Very good. Aldridge is getting more comfortable out there dealing with Asik and Howard. I expect him to score 30+ in a win.

 

[KingSpeed]

I'd play TRob when Houston subs in TJones. Jones has been pretty good at getting them second chance points and we could use TRob to counter his energy.

I agree with this.

 

[magnifier661]

I'd play TRob when Houston subs in TJones. Jones has been pretty good at getting them second chance points and we could use TRob to counter his energy.

I totally agree with this

 

[maxiep]

I feel very good about this game. Very good. Aldridge is getting more comfortable out there dealing with Asik and Howard. I expect him to score 30+ in a win.

Between what he did in Games 1 and 2 and what he seems to do every time he returns back home to Dallas, I wouldn't mind moving our home games to Texas.

 

[magnifier661]

Between what he did in Games 1 and 2 and what he seems to do every time he returns back home to Dallas, I wouldn't mind moving our home games to Texas.

LMAO!!!!!!

The good thing is both teams we face in the next round (That is if we make it there) will be texas teams... Aldridge could be our second round MVP as well.

And, Aldridge plays really well against OKC too. It would be nice to face them in the WCF (That is if we make it that far).

Shit while we are at it, lets hope Chicago has some miracle and make it to the finals. Aldridge is money against them too!

 

[B-Roy]

Also, we need to involve Aldridge on every offensive possession. It felt like Aldridge was fading in and out in that first half last night waiting for his teammates to pick him up. Once we started involving him in the third quarter the game turned around. He doesn't have to shoot, he just needs to be a threat because otherwise we're much easier to defend. (just cover the damn 3 point line)

 

[Prue]

Also, we need to involve Aldridge on every offensive possession. It felt like Aldridge was fading in and out in that first half last night waiting for his teammates to pick him up. Once we started involving him in the third quarter the game turned around. He doesn't have to shoot, he just needs to be a threat because otherwise we're much easier to defend. (just cover the damn 3 point line)

I agree...its a bit too bad that LA doesn't have a dribble...at all >.> If he could do what Nico does when running the offense we'd see ALL SORTS of open guys. Little LA at the top of the key extended, give, go, get on a drive to the rim straight up.

 

[B-Roy]

I agree...its a bit too bad that LA doesn't have a dribble...at all >.> If he could do what Nico does when running the offense we'd see ALL SORTS of open guys. Little LA at the top of the key extended, give, go, get on a drive to the rim straight up.

There was one play last night where Aldridge caught it in the high post against Asik, made a nice dribble spin move and got right to the basket for an easy running hook. I thought to myself, "wow, that was so easy for LMA, why doesn't he do it more often?"

[video=youtube;0k2JMu5gb64]

At 1:33 here. So easy....