Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 1: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - MAY 22, 2021 - SATURDAY, 7:30, ESPN

[Fairly-Hard]

How the hell did Kanter get auto corrected to Lantern without me noticing?

There is a weird world that is "Auto Correct" and it ain't very correct.

 

[ABM]

Hmmmm....how does a team go from last in the NBA in defense for nearly an entire season to nearly the top during the last month? Players 'fraid of losing their coach? I've heard somewhere that defense is around 75% attitude/hustle and 25% ability/technique/coaching. If so, perhaps that's true in this case.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Now the real tests begin. The traps on Dame.

Stotts, your job is on the line. Are you finally, FINALLY going to implement a scheme to counter the trap? If he does, Blazers should win.

Having little faith in stotts as a coach to adjust to the ancient trap-dame-in-the-playoffs, I picked Denver in 6. Please prove me wrong, Stotts. Been waiting the entirety of dames prime to see an adjustment and not "Dame bail me out kthx love you". Not all teams can be OKC circa 2019.

Have CJ and Powell bring the ball up the court at least 65% of all possessions and there will be 65% fewer traps on Dame!

 

[Chris Craig]

How the hell did Kanter get auto corrected to Lantern without me noticing?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Have CJ and Powell bring the ball up the court at least 65% of all possessions and there will be 65% fewer traps on Dame!

Dame is not just trapped when he brings the ball up the court. It occurs whenever he gets the ball 30 feet from the basket. Terry will need a couple of different strategies. I imagine whoever is guarding Nurk and RoCo will be the 2nd defender in the trap. They will need to make smart decisions.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
42 - 30
(22-14 Road)
DENVER NUGGETS
47 - 25
(25-11 Home)

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WHEN: x PM (PDT), xDAY, 5/x/2021

WHERE: BALL ARENA, DENVER, CO

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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

SIMONS , BLEVINS , ELLEBY

LITTLE , HOLLIS-JEFFERSON , JONES Jr.

ANTHONY , LEAF

GILES III , KANTER


---- DENVER NUGGETS ----

MORRIS , HOWARD , DOZIER

RIVERS , HARRISON , CANCAR

GREEN , MILLSAP , NNAJI

McGEE , BOL




INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture): OUT
NUGGETS
Will Barton (right hamstring strain): QUESTIONABLE
P.J. Dozier (strained right adductor): QUESTIONABLE
Jamal Murray (torn left ACL): OUT




HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- MICHAEL MALONE

OFFICIAL NUGGETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

​

Nice Job!

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

NBA 2021 PLAYOFFS BRACKET

​

That's just a reminder that LAL doesn't have an easy path. If Curry is really on, they could lose that first game and have to play a young energetic Memphis team or a well-coached and improving Spurs team. It could easily have been us who would have been on that path.

 

[Shaboid]

Dame is not just trapped when he brings the ball up the court. It occurs whenever he gets the ball 30 feet from the basket. Terry will need a couple of different strategies. I imagine whoever is guarding Nurk and RoCo will be the 2nd defender in the trap. They will need to make smart decisions.

Saw this on Twitter earlier today, sort of applies to what you're talking about.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Considering Murray is out i think this is the best matchup we get. I hope we don't try to matchup Porter with Powell though as Porter can shoot over his head the whole night. RoCo seems a much better matchup since Porter is not very good dribbling the ball so he can keep up with him. Powell can work on Gordon because although he lacks in size Gordon is not very skilled offensively to take advantage of that.

I agree that Porter can shoot right over Powell, but if Roco guards him, you want Powell to guard Gordon? Tough decision.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Nurk cannot let Joki drive right by him to the basket like he did several times in the game Sunday. It almost seemed like he was trying to help out too much or anticipating where Jokic might pass. Let the rest of the team worry about that. If Nurk can handle Jokic one on one, we will win the series. Another thing I found interesting is that Jokic drove around Nurk but tried to just bully Kanter towards the basket. I wonder if he feels they are different defenders or if he just picked up on Nurk's lack of attention to him?

 

[Strenuus]

Game is Saturday. Time TBA.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I agree that Porter can shoot right over Powell, but if Roco guards him, you want Powell to guard Gordon? Tough decision.

Which one spends the most time on the perimeter? That is who NP should be guarding. As I recall Porter has a 1 inch longer wingspan than Powell. So when Porter is holding the ball up high he might have a very slight advantage, but he still needs to get the ball from the floor to that position. Unless he is only catching and shooting with a very high release.

My point is out on the perimeter, shooting over someone is a little overrated. There are exceptions (i.e Dirk back in the day) but is Porter at that level? Look at all the times we thought LMA could shooter over a smaller defender only to have a tougher time than he did against bigger players. Does Dame have an easy time shooting over CP3? I think Powell can defend Porter on the perimeter.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Which one spends the most time on the perimeter? That is who NP should be guarding. As I recall Porter has a 1 inch longer wingspan than Powell. So when Porter is holding the ball up high he might have a very slight advantage, but he still needs to get the ball from the floor to that position. Unless he is only catching and shooting with a very high release.

My point is out on the perimeter, shooting over someone is a little overrated. There are exceptions (i.e Dirk back in the day) but is Porter at that level? Look at all the times we thought LMA could shooter over a smaller defender only to have a tougher time than he did against bigger players. Does Dame have an easy time shooting over CP3? I think Powell can defend Porter on the perimeter.

Porter went 3 for 6 on threes in our Sunday game, but I agree with you Powell would be the best choice. Jump up and make him drive I guess.

 

[Scalma]

Jokic is much better now than two years ago.

sure, but Portland also didn’t have Nurk. I also think Porter is easier to gameplan against than a Jamal Murray since Murray is more dynamic with the ball. (Covington is also a better matchup vs Porter than any of our guards against Murray.) Of course that requires good coaching, so not sure it’ll matter.

 

[Scalma]

I’m picking Denver just because I don’t have/want any expectations. Let’s just start this shit already.

 

[GDiama]

I agree that Porter can shoot right over Powell, but if Roco guards him, you want Powell to guard Gordon? Tough decision.

Ι don't think Gordon is skilled enough to take advantage of shorter opponents that canstay in front of him.

Which one spends the most time on the perimeter? That is who NP should be guarding. As I recall Porter has a 1 inch longer wingspan than Powell. So when Porter is holding the ball up high he might have a very slight advantage, but he still needs to get the ball from the floor to that position. Unless he is only catching and shooting with a very high release.

My point is out on the perimeter, shooting over someone is a little overrated. There are exceptions (i.e Dirk back in the day) but is Porter at that level? Look at all the times we thought LMA could shooter over a smaller defender only to have a tougher time than he did against bigger players. Does Dame have an easy time shooting over CP3? I think Powell can defend Porter on the perimeter.

Porter is not really dribbling, he shoots when he gets the ball and he has one of the highest if not the highest release point and he is incredibly efficient. This is what i m afraid of.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Nurk cannot let Joki drive right by him to the basket like he did several times in the game Sunday. It almost seemed like he was trying to help out too much or anticipating where Jokic might pass. Let the rest of the team worry about that. If Nurk can handle Jokic one on one, we will win the series. Another thing I found interesting is that Jokic drove around Nurk but tried to just bully Kanter towards the basket. I wonder if he feels they are different defenders or if he just picked up on Nurk's lack of attention to him?

there are certain players that cant be stopped and jokic is one of them, but if you can slow him down, that can make difference

jokic will get his (25 ppg to 30 ppg), but how easy or hard he gets it, thats what matters

nurk needs to play smart and not allow jokic to get him in foul trouble

 

[twobullz]

I think you need to make sure Jokic is having to work on the defensive end, don't let him relax and wear him down.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We should make Jokic more of a scorer than passer, I don't think he can carry scoring over 40ppg as guys such as Dame/Steph/Murray can. MPJ is the one guy the defense really needs to focus on limiting scoring. Maybe DJJ/Little/RHJ get some time if MPJ is hot. Our defense has really improved the last quarter of the season, with our offense it doesn't have to be elite defense it just needs to be mediocre.

We need to destroy them at the guard matchup, it should be Dame/CJ/Powell initiating quality offense relentlessly and getting Kanter/Nurk/Melo involved when Denver starts to rotate.

Aaron Gordon is a waste playing against us, he can defend the big forwards or wings excellent but we don't use them that way in our offense. He can't defend our guards.

I feel like 6 of the best 8 players are on our squad, our starters plus Kanter against Jokic/MPJ. This should be an easy series victory in 4 or 5 games.

Go Blazers!

 

[Pinwheel1]

there are certain players that cant be stopped and jokic is one of them, but if you can slow him down, that can make difference

jokic will get his (25 ppg to 30 ppg), but how easy or hard he gets it, thats what matters

nurk needs to play smart and not allow jokic to get him in foul trouble

Hopefully, his 3 pt shooting percentage at the end of games will dip if he is extra tired. Make him work but don't leave his teammates open, because Jokic will always find them. I don't care if he gets 40 if we shut the others down....and he is tired at the end.

 

[garbagetime]

I don't know what you Blazer fans are worried about. The Blazers were so lucky that the Clippers were smart, or chicken shit enough (depending on your point of view) to tank to force a series with the Mavs, who are much weaker than the Blazers. This, of course, left the Blazers in a series against a Denver team missing two of its prime guards. So, just like in the regular season where the Blazers many times got to play teams with missing starters, they will continue their streak in the playoffs thanks to the gutless Clippers and get to dominate a team missing two prime players. Don't bother telling me how the Blazers missed CJ and Nurk for a lot of games. I already know that, but it occurred at times when it did not matter as much as now in the playoffs. You all won't get a real assessment of how good the Blazers are until they are in against the winner of the 2/7 series. For now, relax and save your worries for later in the playoffs, when you might need them more than now.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So, just like in the regular season where the Blazers many times got to play teams with missing starters, they will continue their streak in the playoffs thanks to the gutless Clippers and get to dominate a team missing two prime players.

You mean like every other team in the NBA? The whole league either rests players or has injured players on a nightly basis.

 

[Strenuus]

I don't know what you Blazer fans are worried about. The Blazers were so lucky that the Clippers were smart, or chicken shit enough (depending on your point of view) to tank to force a series with the Mavs, who are much weaker than the Blazers. This, of course, left the Blazers in a series against a Denver team missing two of its prime guards. So, just like in the regular season where the Blazers many times got to play teams with missing starters, they will continue their streak in the playoffs thanks to the gutless Clippers and get to dominate a team missing two prime players. Don't bother telling me how the Blazers missed CJ and Nurk for a lot of games. I already know that, but it occurred at times when it did not matter as much as now in the playoffs. You all won't get a real assessment of how good the Blazers are until they are in against the winner of the 2/7 series. For now, relax and save your worries for later in the playoffs, when you might need them more than now.

We haven't even played game 1 of this series. Like, what on earth is this? It's an even series... looking ahead in the playoffs is about the worst thing you can do.

 

[THE HCP]

I bet the Alfredo guy is a bit torn here. His two favorite teams going head to head.

 

[Strenuus]

I bet the Alfredo guy is a bit torn here. His two favorite teams going head to head.

Lmao Alfredo. Hahaha.

 

[blazerkor]

We should make Jokic more of a scorer than passer, I don't think he can carry scoring over 40ppg as guys such as Dame/Steph/Murray can. MPJ is the one guy the defense really needs to focus on limiting scoring. Maybe DJJ/Little/RHJ get some time if MPJ is hot. Our defense has really improved the last quarter of the season, with our offense it doesn't have to be elite defense it just needs to be mediocre.

We need to destroy them at the guard matchup, it should be Dame/CJ/Powell initiating quality offense relentlessly and getting Kanter/Nurk/Melo involved when Denver starts to rotate.

Aaron Gordon is a waste playing against us, he can defend the big forwards or wings excellent but we don't use them that way in our offense. He can't defend our guards.

I feel like 6 of the best 8 players are on our squad, our starters plus Kanter against Jokic/MPJ. This should be an easy series victory in 4 or 5 games.

Go Blazers!

This is quite the homer take. You think this should be an easy victory in a sweep or gentleman's sweep? You think that we present match up problems for them but their huge, extremely athletic forwards who can hit jumpers don't present match up problems for us?

Gordon will probably impact the game defensively as the second guy that blitzes Dame. I do think that you're right that we have the better talent on the front end of our roster but their roster is much deeper and fits together much better than ours.

I guess Saturday's game will tell us a lot. If we're just toying with them and run them out of the gym then you're probably right but if they beat us, we're in for a series and one that we might lose in 6 or 7 games.

 

[garbagetime]

We haven't even played game 1 of this series. Like, what on earth is this? It's an even series... looking ahead in the playoffs is about the worst thing you can do.

This is not an even series. Murray out. Barton out, or not yet fully recovered. You Blazer fans should not worry at all. This is a depleted Nugget team that might as well go home before it even starts. The Blazers finally have a full squad. As I said earlier, don't conclude much from the win in round 1 because the more difficult test and better measuring stick will come in round 2.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

We should make Jokic more of a scorer than passer, I don't think he can carry scoring over 40ppg as guys such as Dame/Steph/Murray can. MPJ is the one guy the defense really needs to focus on limiting scoring. Maybe DJJ/Little/RHJ get some time if MPJ is hot. Our defense has really improved the last quarter of the season, with our offense it doesn't have to be elite defense it just needs to be mediocre.

We need to destroy them at the guard matchup, it should be Dame/CJ/Powell initiating quality offense relentlessly and getting Kanter/Nurk/Melo involved when Denver starts to rotate.

Aaron Gordon is a waste playing against us, he can defend the big forwards or wings excellent but we don't use them that way in our offense. He can't defend our guards.

I feel like 6 of the best 8 players are on our squad, our starters plus Kanter against Jokic/MPJ. This should be an easy series victory in 4 or 5 games.

Go Blazers!

I hate to get my hopes up too much but I honestly believe we’ll in 5 games.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

This is not an even series. Murray out. Barton out, or not yet fully recovered. You Blazer fans should not worry at all. This is a depleted Nugget team that might as well go home before it even starts. The Blazers finally have a full squad. As I said earlier, don't conclude much from the win in round 1 because the more difficult test and better measuring stick will come in round 2.

This guy is right.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We haven't even played game 1 of this series. Like, what on earth is this? It's an even series... looking ahead in the playoffs is about the worst thing you can do.

Looking ahead would be the worst thing for the players or coaches to do.

It's fine if fans want to, we don't have an impact on the outcome of the game.