Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 2, GAME 2: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - MAY 1, 2019 - WEDNESDAY, 6:00 PM, TNT

[Cugel]

I feel like tonight is a must win if we want to take the series. coming back from 2-0 isn't fun. My confidence level isn't particularly high: I don't see how Stotts and co. are going to stop Jokic and he does not get called for using his elbows on offense. A big man with 36 points and only two fouls is mind-boggling and those weren't offensive fouls either. Sure recipe for a win IMHO but I won't blame the refs; it's just the state of the league. He most likely will have an ~easy triple double with 35+ points. We can't ask more from Dame but who will support him?

 

[kjironman1]

Harkless--Murray
Aminu--Jokic
Kanter--Millsap

Saw a little bit of it late and I'm not sure it's some great solution (Harkless looked powerless vs Jokic in the times they matched up in game 1) but it would give us the ability to switch the Murray/Jokic pnr that gave us so much trouble.

I would also play around with trapping Murray with Hark and Aminu, depending on where the screen is set and how Denver chooses to space the floor.

Pretty sure you will see that again for stretches.

 

[kjironman1]

My confidence level isn't particularly high: I don't see how Stotts and co. are going to stop Jokic

IMO and yes it's just an opinion.
The Blazers don't need to stop Jokic. Just stop Murray and clamp down on Milsap. Jokic cannot win that game alone.

 

[Cugel]

IMO and yes it's just an opinion.
The Blazers don't need to stop Jokic. Just stop Murray and clamp down on Milsap. Jokic cannot win that game alone.

True
Murray couldn't miss and Milsap was largely unstoppable by Aminu in the 1st.

 

[kjironman1]

True
Murray couldn't miss and Milsap was largely unstoppable by Aminu in the 1st.

Hold those guy to under 15 a piece and let Jokic go for 50. Nuggets 110 and Blazers 115

 

[LayneStaley]

I expect a 10 point win, I think Dame has this team mentally where it needs to be and Denver will be a LITTLE overconfident.

 

[blue9]

I would love to see if they could go effective with Meyers on the court for a long period of time. But i fear he will get into foul trouble very quickly. He could hit some shots and help out spacing but you got to remember Kanter went for 26 last game. Not sure Meyers makes up that kind of offense?
I'm interested in seeing what Stotts does? My bet is he stays with Meyers for 10-15 mins and tries to continue to get production from Kanter. Then goes Aminu on Jokic while showing doubles as soon as Jokic tries to back into the paint. Seemed to work last game in the second half.

I'm not saying play Meyers in place of Kanter, or even reduce Kanter's minutes. But whenever Kanter is off the floor Meyers should be on it. Just don't guard Jokic with a SF (or a SF-sized PF).

 

[wizenheimer]

So glad about the start time for this game. The playoffs are killing my sleep schedule and I should be able to get to bed around midnight eastern after this one.

yeah, I noticed that too

I remember when the Drexler-Porter teams made deep runs in the playoffs for 3 straight seasons...to the finals twice. And on the weekends there was always a game right in the middle of the day. In variably, it was a beautiful late-spring/early-summer day outside when I had tons of yard-work to get done on my two days off. But there I was, right in the wheelhouse of that beautiful day sitting inside in front of the TV for 3 hours. As soon as the game was over I'd hustle outside to get work done. If the Blazers won, I'd gently mulch around the azaleas and fuscia; if the Blazers lost I'd mow down the wife's daffodils and blast round-up across the landscape

 

[illmatic99]

We had a serious mental edge against OKC. Like everyone wanted to not only beat them, but do so soundly with a sense of anger.

We don't have that against DEN.

Nurk was the irritant who started shit and usually it got us going. Really missing him right now.

 

[hoopsjock]

I feel like tonight is a must win if we want to take the series. coming back from 2-0 isn't fun. My confidence level isn't particularly high: I don't see how Stotts and co. are going to stop Jokic and he does not get called for using his elbows on offense. A big man with 36 points and only two fouls is mind-boggling and those weren't offensive fouls either. Sure recipe for a win IMHO but I won't blame the refs; it's just the state of the league. He most likely will have an ~easy triple double with 35+ points. We can't ask more from Dame but who will support him?

I don't get this. Jokic had a huge game and we still could have won by cutting down on the careless passes. It does put more pressure on us to win this game but for the most part I'm not discouraged by not being able to stop Jokic. Just limit the other players from getting open looks and we're fine.

 

[andalusian]

Might need to put Zach on Millsap to see if he can slow him down, if Chief can not.

 

[tester551]

Harkless--Murray
Aminu--Jokic
Kanter--Millsap

Defensively, I'd like to see this combination:

Aminu -> Murray (long defender, can switch if needed)
Meyers -> Jokic (can bang with Jokic)
Collins -> Millsap (best option remaining)

Aminu is a better 3pnt shooter than Mo. With Meyers/Collins in the game, we could force Jokic to defend the P&R every trip down the court on offense.

I'd also like to see Kanter matched up with Plumlee. Plumlee seems to struggle with more physical players on the boards.

 

[DDolla]

Just Win Baby!

 

[BBert]

Might need to put Zach on Millsap to see if he can slow him down, if Chief can not.

We will probably need to. Unfortunately, playoff veteran Millsap will abuse the young man.

Prove me wrong, Zach.

 

[BigGameDamian]

IMO and yes it's just an opinion.
The Blazers don't need to stop Jokic. Just stop Murray and clamp down on Milsap. Jokic cannot win that game alone.

That's what we used to say about the Lakers and Shaq.

 

[wizenheimer]

I might be wrong but I think people are dismissing Aminu as a Millsap defender prematurely. He had a bad game for sure, but it looked like he didn't show up ready and was knocked off his stride right at the beginning and couldn't recover. That happens sometimes to a role player like Aminu

I'd expect he'll be better tonight as long as he doesn't force his offense. IMO, if a player is abusing Aminu on defense, Zach doesn't have much of a prayer of doing better

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I don't think Aminu (or Turner, or Jake, or, or, or) should guard Jokic either. Meyers. Meyers is a far better option than any SF-sized player.

I don't think Aminu (or Turner, or Jake, or, or, or) should guard Jokic either. Meyers. Meyers is a far better option than any SF-sized player.

I thought Myers dd a great job, although refs were not kind to him. He should try bodying up on Jokic and bumping him a little more subtly.

 

[stampedehero]

I feel like tonight is a must win if we want to take the series. coming back from 2-0 isn't fun. My confidence level isn't particularly high: I don't see how Stotts and co. are going to stop Jokic and he does not get called for using his elbows on offense. A big man with 36 points and only two fouls is mind-boggling and those weren't offensive fouls either. Sure recipe for a win IMHO but I won't blame the refs; it's just the state of the league. He most likely will have an ~easy triple double with 35+ points. We can't ask more from Dame but who will support him?

Got to be Aminu and Hark. CJ has to score over 20. Seth Curry needs to be on the same grounds as his brother and make shots. Rodney and Collins have to score. We have to cease TO's and get serious on interior D.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

sorry i screwed up my reply; i usually do better.

 

[kjironman1]

The reason i chose offensive rebounds is because i have watched teams just wilt under the demoralizing pressure when they hold a team on defense for 22 seconds into the shot clock and then give up a offensive rebound only to see the rebounder pass out to a guy who throws a dagger three.
Happens all the time for the Warriors as that is exactly what Draymond does with his rebounds. He doesn't even try to go back up with it usually. He looks for Curry or Klay on the perimeter. It's tough as a fan to watch it let alone be the team on the floor trying to cover.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Not trying to come out with anything too edgy, but i think we should use this 1st half for defensive experiments.

I'd try:
-Hood and Turner on Milsap.
-Collins and Meyers on Jokic.
(i know we're sacrificing Kanter minutes for this)
-Don't start with Aminu and Harkless together. They look good against other "scrappy players" , but they're double-trouble against a squad of talented players who happen to be good shooters.

And play Jake ffs.

 

[DDolla]

We are in trouble if we don’t win game 2

 

[Strenuus]

IMO and yes it's just an opinion.
The Blazers don't need to stop Jokic. Just stop Murray and clamp down on Milsap. Jokic cannot win that game alone.

This is my thinking too. Jokic can go for 50 and still lose if you clamp down on millsap and Murray.

Aminu on millsap. And just show different looks to Murray.

And for the love of god value the possessions. I'm looking at you CJ and aminu.

 

[crandc]

My phone just reminded me Blazers in 30 minutes. In case I forget.

I have a streaming cold. I never get colds. Can't remember how many years since my last cold.

As long as Blazers are healthy.

 

[BonesJones]

Oh No . Not the red uniforms.

When was the last time we wore these jerseys?

 

[Darkwebs]

When was the last time we wore these jerseys?

Your question may have been rhetorical, but I believe the answer is the Pistons game on 3/30/19.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Let's go boys! GET THIS WIN!

Make smart choices, Terry! Please, I beg you, play a smart game!

 

[Jade Falcon]

Hey, is anyone else getting Lord Of The Rings on their feed?

 

[Darkwebs]

Hey, is anyone else getting Lord Of The Rings on their feed?

Yeah, it's on TNT.

I wish that one day, Lillard will be known as Lord of the Championship Rings.

 

[Labinot41]

Zero chance we can win this game fams.