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

[garbagetime]

They're practicing so they're close, I don't think Denver is pushing it and that would probably represent a lack of urgency. Remember that this is the team that lost on purpose in order to play us in the first round. It all might be foolish on their part but they obviously don't see us as the hardest match up.

They lost on purpose in order to avoid playing the Lakers in the first round. They just figured it was worse to play the Lakers than the Blazers. But, they didn't want the Blazers either with the depleted lineup they have. What Denver needs is a team like Portland State, or maybe OKC. This could be the biggest farce in a playoff series in NBA history.

 

[blazerkor]

They lost on purpose in order to avoid playing the Lakers in the first round. They just figured it was worse to play the Lakers than the Blazers. But, they didn't want the Blazers either with the depleted lineup they have. What Denver needs is a team like Portland State, or maybe OKC. This could be the biggest farce in a playoff series in NBA history.

I hope you're right. I see Joker, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., Monte Morris, Millsap, McGee and a bunch other of guys that have kept them way ahead of us in wins despite all of their injury woes this season.

 

[THE HCP]

Denver in 6

 

[Labinot41]

WAKE UP RIP CITY, IT'S PLAYOFFS DAY !!!

 

[wizenheimer]

if Barton, Dozier, and Rivers can't play, I wouldn't be surprised in Denver zagged against all of the NBA's zigging into small-ball perimeter lineups. That would be zagging into a big lineup with Gordon or Porter or Green getting burn at SG. Likely Gordon because of his defensive mobility and a need to keep Powell out of foul trouble

 

[MadeFromDust]

I'm surprised a lot of people are thinking we will walk all over the Nuggets. Denver is never an easy out, especially when they have HCA. I'm expecting a dogfight like in 2019.

Predicting Blazers in 6 because I think we will make the bigger crunch time plays and edge out the close games. But if it ends up being Denver in 6 I wouldn't exactly be surprised either.

 

[Scalma]

I feel like people are kind of overlooking the nuggets just because they’re missing a couple key guys. That’s still a good team and we still suck (or at the very best are inconsistent) defensively. It should be a close series.

But for the first time in awhile I’m not going into these games nervous. Obviously I’d rather win than lose, but losing just means dumping Stotts. I don’t think I’m going to lose sleep after losses like I did in years past. Let’s see what happens.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

If Portland doesn't win in 6, Stotts is even worse than I thought.

 

[Hoopguru]

I feel like people are kind of overlooking the nuggets just because they’re missing a couple key guys. That’s still a good team and we still suck (or at the very best are inconsistent) defensively. It should be a close series.

But for the first time in awhile I’m not going into these games nervous. Obviously I’d rather win than lose, but losing just means dumping Stotts. I don’t think I’m going to lose sleep after losses like I did in years past. Let’s see what happens.

I believe Dame will show the world he should be in contention for MVP. Blazers in 6

 

[Hoopguru]

if Barton, Dozier, and Rivers can't play, I wouldn't be surprised in Denver zagged against all of the NBA's zigging into small-ball perimeter lineups. That would be zagging into a big lineup with Gordon or Powell or Green getting burn at SG. Likely Gordon because of his defensive mobility and a need to keep Powell out of foul trouble

I think you mean Porter.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Blazers in 5

 

[MickZagger]

I think we win this series easy. We’re playing our best ball heading into the playoffs. Murray being out is going to hurt them bad.

 

[MickZagger]

Is there any timetable on a Collins return?

 

[Propagandist]

Denver in 6

Come on, man.

 

[garbagetime]

There's another 3 for Lillard right after the other two by McCollum and the three by Powell. The Nuggets seem to have no answer for the Blazer's three point shooting guards. This looks like it will be a very short series. There's another time out by Malone. On second thought, he waived it off and threw a white towel out on the floor.

 

[TBpup]

Blazers in 5 or 6. Nuggets are too beat up.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[JoshuaHall]

maybe not so coincidental

Additionally, the Blazers' rating benefits from how well their starting five has played after getting CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic back from injuries and adding Norman Powell at the trade deadline. According to NBA Advanced Stats, only one lineup in the NBA has played more minutes with a better net rating than Portland's plus-13.4 points per 100 possessions in 370 minutes with those five players: the Philadelphia 76ers' starting five (plus-14.0 in 656 minutes).

link

 

[B-Roy]

When are tickets going to be out for the home games?

 

[HailBlazers]

Denver in 6

Wanna bet your house?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Blazers haven't swept a team since 1990 and that was a best of 5. Crazy, right? I got Blazers in 5 but a sweep sure would be nice.

EDIT: We swept the Suns 3-0 in 1999.

 

[Natebishop3]

Is there any timetable on a Collins return?

I think you mean what's the timeline until Collins has another setback?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Should we throw Game 1? Last two champions lost Game 1.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Is there any timetable on a Collins return?

1st week of June. During second round or possible WCF's.
Don't look for him to return this year.

 

[Chris Craig]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Does anyone on here watch or listen to Brian Noe?
I only just started listening to him. Seems at least down to earth.

Can't stand him. He's a master of the strawman argument, and it drives me nuts.

 

[Natebishop3]

Can't stand him. He's a master of the strawman argument, and it drives me nuts.

I often think that his arguments are just plain wrong.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Can't stand him. He's a master of the strawman argument, and it drives me nuts.

I guess that happens all over the place. In sports it's almost hard not to get the conversation off track a bit. Emotions come into play. I don't get much chance to listen to him. I usually work during those hours.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I often think that his arguments are just plain wrong.

I'm certain he is wrong as much as the next guy. At least he wasn't complete homer the hour i watched him. He did point out some Blazer weaknesses.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm certain he is wrong as much as the next guy. At least he wasn't complete homer the hour i watched him. He did point out some Blazer weaknesses.

It's not about being wrong. It's about being arrogant about being wrong, AND completely unwilling to listen to anyone.