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

[mook]

To win, Denver needs to absolutely dominate at the center position.

Jokic is going to play like an MVP, but honestly we have the best center rotation in the league in terms of guarding him. Portland is going to mostly guard him in single coverage to try to limit his passing, and force Denver to score through Jokic. Our C's are huge and strong as fuck and have 12 fouls to give between them. Jokic is going to spend a fair amount of time away from the paint if he wants to catch his breath, because on the other end our Nurk and Kanter are going to be really active on bodying him up and keeping him involved in screen and rolls and clearing rebounds. There may not be another center alive who knows Jokic better than Nurk.

Their backup centers are Milsap and McGee. Milsap is too small to keep Kanter from boarding, and McGee has been on 9 teams for a reason (the idea of McGee is always better than the reality). Both are about 5 years past their prime.

I'm looking forward to Dame matching up with Facundo Campazzo. Dame never gets a chance to post up guys. You could tell he had fun doing it in the final game of the season on that one play.

 

[Shaboid]

To win, Denver needs to absolutely dominate at the center position.

Jokic is going to play like an MVP, but honestly we have the best center rotation in the league in terms of guarding him. Portland is going to mostly guard him in single coverage to try to limit his passing, and force Denver to score through Jokic. Our C's are huge and strong as fuck and have 12 fouls to give between them. Jokic is going to spend a fair amount of time away from the paint if he wants to catch his breath, because on the other end our Nurk and Kanter are going to be really active on bodying him up and keeping him involved in screen and rolls and clearing rebounds. There may not be another center alive who knows Jokic better than Nurk.

I noticed at one point last night they had a guard on Jokic on the perimeter and Nurk was just hanging out in the paint. It was a weird defense and Nurk ended up getting a 3 second call for it, but I wonder if there are any outside the box looks we can throw at Jokic. He really has played like an MVP all season and possesses the ability to really kill a team if you let him.

 

[wizenheimer]

With Murray and Barton out, Portland should win this. If they lose with those 2 players not available for the Nuggets, there should be a massive overhaul as this is as favorable of an opponent draw as Portland could hope for.

From 2 years ago, Grant and Craig are gone and with Murray and Barton injured, this is a much depleted version of a team compared to the one that went 7 games against the Blazers 2 years ago.

is it certain Barton is out for the series?

 

[Hoopguru]

We might be overestimating our defensive improvement. Just two weeks ago, we were thinking we might not even make a play-in. There was tangible improvement in our focus that led to our solid finish, but was it just a mirage?

Jokic is gonna get Nurk in foul trouble early and we're gonna have to deal with Kanter playing him for 25+ mins. And Terry will make adjustments only in Game 4. I don't see us winning more than a game.

I say lets get the Joker in foul trouble with Powell, Dame & CJ driving to the hoop.

 

[e_blazer]

Who is this and what have you done with the real Aldo?

I read his statement as, "Let's go Blazers, but the Nuggets got this in six."

 

[wizenheimer]

Anybody seen Zach Collins?

Collins was at last night's game in an outlandish shirt. I might be wrong, but I really thought he was wearing some kind of minimal boot or brace on his ankle

 

[Strenuus]

I say lets get the Joker in foul trouble with Powell, Dame & CJ driving to the hoop.

Jokic is never getting into foul trouble.

If we weren't getting the calls on the regular season... damn sure ain't gonna get it in the playoffs. Lol

 

[BigGameDamian]

Why Denver in 6? We have a better roster with more experience. I would imagine we're favored in this series.

Probably pissed that he didn't get to make the game thread.

 

[wizenheimer]

since nobody has done the useless remedial breakdown yet, it's on me to do it:

* C - Jokic/McGee vs Nurlic Kanter: obviously you have to give the edge to the elite player and Jokic is definitely that. But Jokic is not as mobile as many C's meaning Portland's guys have a good shot at offsetting Jokic with their physicality and work on the boards. Advantage: Nuggets but Blazers could surprise

* Forwards/Wings: Porter, Gordon, Millsap, Green vs Powell, RoCo, Melo: looks like an advantage for the Nuggets. But, a very large playoff experience advantage for Portland. Never know how players are going to react to the first real playoff tests, and this will be that for Porter and Gordon. The Denver 'wings' may have lots of trouble staying in front of Powell. RoCo can limit the player he guards. And Melo is almost certain to have at least one hot game. On the other hand, he's also almost certain to shoot like shit one game and Porter has the skills to really erupt offensively. Advantage: Nuggets, but the somewhat unorthodox Blazer trio will make things interesting

* Back Court: Campazzo, Rivers, Barton (maybe), Morris, Dozier (maybe) vs Dame, CJ, Powell, Ant: giant mismatch on paper and I think it will likely be the same on court. The health and availability of Barton and Dozier will be significant. Mainly though is that Denver doesn't have anybody the class of Jrue Holiday or Klay or Rondo or Beverly or Iggy to cover Dame; and they do not have the personnel to consistently and effectively trap and double Dame without leaving big holes in their defense Portland can exploit. Adding to this is that unlike the past playoff matchups, CJ has actually burned the Nuggest enough that they are unlikely to flex their defense completely toward Dame. And Powell is a wild card here. Advantage: Blazers by a lot, perhaps enough to more than offset the Nugget advantages in the front court

if healthy, the Nuggets have a better bench, but playoff rotations are shortened anyway. The wild card is the Denver elevation, but 'all' Portland needs is 1 of the first 2 games to flip HCA

coaching: tossup

projected winner:

 

[Chris Craig]

Who is this and what have you done with the real Aldo?

 

[wizenheimer]

that's a disturbing cartoon...both of them by the way

 

[SharpesTriumph]

With a week off until the first game and then the series going up to a few weeks long after that can the Blazers start sleeping in those fancy tents or such to adjust to the altitude? I'm not sure how long it takes your body to adjust.....

 

[wizenheimer]

With a week off until the first game and then the series going up to a few weeks long after that can the Blazers start sleeping in those fancy tents or such to adjust to the altitude? I'm not sure how long it takes your body to adjust.....

17.36 days....science

 

[BlazerBeav]

I'm very hopeful in 10 days time when we're home for game 3, we should be able to have a much larger crowd in attendance and regain our homecourt advantage.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

since nobody has done the useless remedial breakdown yet, it's on me to do it:

* C - Jokic/McGee vs Nurlic Kanter: obviously you have to give the edge to the elite player and Jokic is definitely that. But Jokic is not as mobile as many C's meaning Portland's guys have a good shot at offsetting Jokic with their physicality and work on the boards. Advantage: Nuggets but Blazers could surprise

* Forwards/Wings: Porter, Gordon, Millsap, Green vs Powell, RoCo, Melo: looks like an advantage for the Nuggets. But, a very large playoff experience advantage for Portland. Never know how players are going to react to the first real playoff tests, and this will be that for Porter and Gordon. The Denver 'wings' may have lots of trouble staying in front of Powell. RoCo can limit the player he guards. And Melo is almost certain to have at least one hot game. On the other hand, he's also almost certain to shoot like shit one game and Porter has the skills to really erupt offensively. Advantage: Nuggets, but the somewhat unorthodox Blazer trio will make things interesting

* Back Court: Campazzo, Rivers, Barton (maybe), Morris, Dozier (maybe) vs Dame, CJ, Powell, Ant: giant mismatch on paper and I think it will likely be the same on court. The health and availability of Barton and Dozier will be significant. Mainly though is that Denver doesn't have anybody the class of Jrue Holiday or Klay or Rondo or Beverly or Iggy to cover Dame; and they do not have the personnel to consistently and effectively trap and double Dame without leaving big holes in their defense Portland can exploit. Adding to this is that unlike the past playoff matchups, CJ has actually burned the Nuggest enough that they are unlikely to flex their defense completely toward Dame. And Powell is a wild card here. Advantage: Blazers by a lot, perhaps enough to more than offset the Nugget advantages in the front court

if healthy, the Nuggets have a better bench, but playoff rotations are shortened anyway. The wild card is the Denver elevation, but 'all' Portland needs is 1 of the first 2 games to flip HCA

coaching: tossup

projected winner:

View attachment 38554

You gave advantage to Nuggets is Center, Forwards/Wings, and Bench then give Coaching a tossup but project Blazers as winning the series.

Would you care to explain that further? By the way isn't Powell playing SF as a wing?

Powell is a wild card here. Advantage: Blazers by a lot, perhaps enough to more than offset the Nugget advantages in the front court

Is this it? You are saying Norman Powell is why the Blazers could win this series?

 

[KSF-ERIC]

I just can't imagine how we lose this series.

 

[wizenheimer]

You gave advantage to Nuggets is Center, Forwards/Wings, and Bench then give Coaching a tossup but project Blazers as winning the series.

Would you care to explain that further? By the way isn't Powell playing SF as a wing?

Is this it? You are saying Norman Powell is why the Blazers could win this series?

read again...I listed Powell in both the wing and back-court list since he tends to float between the two.

and, what I said was that the back-court was Portland's big advantage on floor. I think it will offset the small advantage Denver may have in the front-court, and the expected advantage Jokic gives Denver at C. He has to rest 12-15 minutes a game, and the Nukic/Kanter combo tends to give Portland quality at C over 48 minutes

I think Denver's bench is deeper, providing Barton and Dozier can play; but I don't think lots of depth is better than quality backups in an 8-9 man rotation. I think Kanter represents some quality, and Melo can be some good quality as long as he's stroking his shot. Ant, I'm not sure of

again: I do not believe Denver has the personnel to twist their defense toward shutting down Dame without creating exploitable holes elsewhere. The recent Warriors had that ability; so did Memphis (2105) and the Pels; and the Lakers. Nuggets? I just can't see it

 

[Fairly-Hard]

read again...I listed Powell in both the wing and back-court list since he tends to float between the two.

and, what I said was that the back-court was Portland's big advantage on floor. I think it will offset the small advantage Denver may have in the front-court, and the expected advantage Jokic gives Denver at C. He has to rest 12-15 minutes a game, and the Nukic/Kanter combo tends to give Portland quality at C over 48 minutes

I think Denver's bench is deeper, providing Barton and Dozier can play; but I don't think lots of depth is better than quality backups in an 8-9 man rotation. I think Kanter represents some quality, and Melo can be some good quality as long as he's stroking his shot. Ant, I'm not sure of

again: I do not believe Denver has the personnel to twist their defense toward shutting down Dame without creating exploitable holes elsewhere. The recent Warriors had that ability; so did Memphis (2105) and the Pels; and the Lakers. Nuggets? I just can't see it

I actually quoted your position on Powell. Not saying you are wrong at all. Just seems you are expecting way more from the third or fourth option than most.

 

[wizenheimer]

I actually quoted your position on Powell. Not saying you are wrong at all. Just seems you are expecting way more from the third or fourth option than most.

no...you quoted my position on the Blazer back court, Dame-CJ-Powell-Ant; not on Powell alone

 

[Fairly-Hard]

no...you quoted my position on the Blazer back court, Dame-CJ-Powell-Ant; not on Powell alone

The only other thing you referred to as far as Powell was concerned was wether Denver wings could stay in front of him but no worries.
It’s your take. He may very well be the difference maker in that series. Just seems you are not giving The addition of Nurk and the obvious attention Lillard will command the respect I do.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I just can't imagine how we lose this series.

The Blazers got the match up they were looking for. But it's still going to be one hell of a series, you can't take this Denver team lately

 

[Hoopguru]

Imo, if we dont just depend on the 3 ball but do a decent job of playing through Nurk and moving the ball we will be ok. I do think we get jokic in foul trouble if we take the ball at him he reaches a lot.

 

[Tince]

Why Denver in 6? We have a better roster with more experience. I would imagine we're favored in this series.

I would assume it's a near toss up because Denver had a superior roster prior to the Murray injury.

 

[Chris Craig]

When do we get the schedule for the playoffs?

 

[Cugel]

There's a good shot they can take the Nuggets. I still fondly recall CJ's magical night in Denver @ game 7...but I digest.

Need big numbers from the bench. A chance for Melo to show what he can do. It seems like as Melo goes, so go the Blazers. Jokic will do his thing, but try to tire him out/frustrate him. Keep a fresh body on him to annoy the fuck out of him.

 

[maxiep]

I'm more than a little frustrated we haven't heard word one about Zach coming back this season. I really thought he would be available for the playoffs.

 

[Tince]

I'm more than a little frustrated we haven't heard word one about Zach coming back this season. I really thought he would be available for the playoffs.

https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/4/...news-portland-trail-blazers-2021-nba-playoffs

It was talked about in Dec/Jan and again in April.

He's not coming back unless we go deep, so I'm not sure what more there is to say.

 

[blazerkor]

So wait, is there a link on Barton and Dozier being out because nothing I am reading says they will be out come playoff time. I read something that said both were being held out of last nights game to get them healthy for the playoffs.

 

[AldoTrapani]

View attachment 38556

LMAO

 

[crandc]

Blazers are better than they were two years ago. They didn't have Nurk, and both Dame and Lantern had nagging injuries.
As shooters, Melo and Ant vs Seth and Hood off the bench, maybe a wash but don't discount veteran experience.

No one will roll over and play dead but I feel OK.

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