Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 1: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - APRIL 14, 2018, SATURDAY, 7:30 PM PDT, ESPN & NBCSNW

[THE HCP]

Blurry pic or it didn’t happen, FAMS!

 

[riverman]

Regardless if AD is playing 'center' or not, he's a roamer on offense. He doesn't hang out inside of the paint.

You've got to think about it like this. The Pels want to take Nurkic out of the paint. So if he's on AD or Niko you will more than likely see AD and/or Niko either on the 3 point line or at the very least outside the paint. But from yalls point of view, you want Nurkic patrolling the paint. To counter, yall would want more athletic guys like Aminu and Collins will get a lot of work running around and chasing AD and Niko around the floor.

I did however here that you guys are planning on starting Nurkic on AD, but I doubt that lasts very long

the step we've made is playing defense on a string....the one on one matches cancel out if you dig in on team defense...our 3-5 string has been good all season...guys who aren't used to facing that learn quick, we're not bad at protecting the paint

 

[Chris Craig]

Blurry pic or it didn’t happen, FAMS!

 

[BonesJones]

Regardless if AD is playing 'center' or not, he's a roamer on offense. He doesn't hang out inside of the paint.

You've got to think about it like this. The Pels want to take Nurkic out of the paint. So if he's on AD or Niko you will more than likely see AD and/or Niko either on the 3 point line or at the very least outside the paint. But from yalls point of view, you want Nurkic patrolling the paint. To counter, yall would want more athletic guys like Aminu and Collins will get a lot of work running around and chasing AD and Niko around the floor.

I did however here that you guys are planning on starting Nurkic on AD, but I doubt that lasts very long

Nurk is going to post up AD and try to get him into foul trouble. AD as the primary rim protector in the starting lineup instead of being a weakside shot blocker puts him at more risk for foul trouble because Nurk will attack him and he'll have to protect the rim against Lillard and McCollum drives. Nurk is deceptively agile. He's not the slug you think he is. If I'm Portland, I'm fine with Anthony Davis trying to beat us with long 2-point jumpers. That's the least productive shot in the game and it's much better than any other shot Davis can get. So press Davis at the 3point line, dig if he drives, and if he's around 16-19 feet, sag. Nurk can do that.

 

[Jade Falcon]

View attachment 20151

That's what happens when you let a dog into the truck!

 

[deiondeion]

It's not horrible but we want to win both for sure. We know we can win in New Orleans.

don't forget now that the Pels had the 3rd (someone check me) best away record in the West and 5th best in the entire NBA. this team came back down 15 against Milwaukee in MIL and against San Antonio at San Antonio

 

[theprunetang]

Regardless if AD is playing 'center' or not, he's a roamer on offense. He doesn't hang out inside of the paint.

You've got to think about it like this. The Pels want to take Nurkic out of the paint. So if he's on AD or Niko you will more than likely see AD and/or Niko either on the 3 point line or at the very least outside the paint. But from yalls point of view, you want Nurkic patrolling the paint. To counter, yall would want more athletic guys like Aminu and Collins will get a lot of work running around and chasing AD and Niko around the floor.

I did however here that you guys are planning on starting Nurkic on AD, but I doubt that lasts very long

I definitely worry about early foul trouble for Nurk if he's starting on AD. Our two teams match up kind of strangely. We'll see which team is able to impose their will and control the way the game is played.

 

[KingSpeed]

Nurk is going to post up AD and try to get him into foul trouble. AD as the primary rim protector in the starting lineup instead of being a weakside shot blocker puts him at more risk for foul trouble because Nurk will attack him and he'll have to protect the rim against Lillard and McCollum drives. Nurk is deceptively agile. He's not the slug you think he is. If I'm Portland, I'm fine with Anthony Davis trying to beat us with long 2-point jumpers. That's the least productive shot in the game and it's much better than any other shot Davis can get. So press Davis at the 3point line, dig if he drives, and if he's around 16-19 feet, sag. Nurk can do that.

Word

 

[riverman]

don't forget now that the Pels had the 3rd (someone check me) best away record in the West and 5th best in the entire NBA. this team came back down 15 against Milwaukee in MIL and against San Antonio at San Antonio

we had the 3rd best in the west as well......overall

 

[KingSpeed]

don't forget now that the Pels had the 3rd (someone check me) best away record in the West and 5th best in the entire NBA. this team came back down 15 against Milwaukee in MIL and against San Antonio at San Antonio

props

 

[BrianFromWA]

Feel like a better question is "does Dame take over early to get the game started right and remove team's jitters, or does he facilitate everyone else getting going early?"

 

[H.C.]

Leggo Portland.

 

[deiondeion]

we had the 3rd best in the west as well......overall

we had a 24-17 away record

POR was 21-20

not a huge difference, but it shows the Pels won't be a gimme even on the road

 

[riverman]

All in all...I have to say I'm happy playing New Orleans in round one....should be a great series even though we sweep them

 

[Chris Craig]

Let's do this!

 

[KingSpeed]

we had a 24-17 away record

POR was 21-20

not a huge difference, but it shows the Pels won't be a gimme even on the road

cool

 

[KingSpeed]

Feel like a better question is "does Dame take over early to get the game started right and remove team's jitters, or does he facilitate everyone else getting going early?"

he should drop 6 threes and then start passing lol

 

[theprunetang]

I got the jitters!

 

[H.C.]

we had a 24-17 away record

POR was 21-20

not a huge difference, but it shows the Pels won't be a gimme even on the road

These stats aren't really worth visiting.
I could say Pelicans were only 2 games above .500 in conference play. While Portland was +10
I could say Portland has 2 wins post break against the team who was the hottest since their Center returned from injury.

But none of this really matters bra.
It's going to be a close series.

 

[riverman]

we had a 24-17 away record

POR was 21-20

not a huge difference, but it shows the Pels won't be a gimme even on the road

fair enough....I respect a franchise fan .....but Moda Center is a special home court advantage....good luck and Go Blazers!

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

This is when Nurk will earn his money.

 

[Strenuus]

We're not sweeping NOLA. But we will win the series.

 

[KingSpeed]

We're not sweeping NOLA. But we will win the series.

SWEEP

 

[SIeepwalker]

I hate how NBA games never start even close to on time

 

[riverman]

We're not sweeping NOLA. But we will win the series.

Sweep all the way ....back porch style...dust busters

 

[BrianFromWA]

Great. get to watch the last 4 min of a 20pt blowout instead of tipoff.

 

[SIeepwalker]

SWEEP

You voted 5 games !

 

[H.C.]

I hate how NBA games never start even close to on time

Doesn't this game tip @ 41?

 

[TBpup]

Philly is fun to watch....and Embiid isn't even playing. They have a bright future.

 

[KingSpeed]

I hate how NBA games never start even close to on time

Gotta sing national anthem, introduce starters, etc. For the people in the arena, IT is starting on time.