Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 2, GAME 4: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - MAY 5, 2019 - SUNDAY, 4:00 PM, TNT

[James lamphear]

If we had Nurk it be different story in this series. It would a different rotation by Stotts. Kanter more likely wouldn't got hurt against OKC so we would have to strong centers to go at Jokic. Zach would backing up Aminu and maybe Millsap would have more problems shooting over Zach. I still we can win this series it going be hard.

 

[kjironman1]

So much for that hypothesis

Part of that hypothesis might still come to pass. The Blazers had a week off before this series started. Both teams were at elevation essentially the same amount of time and have traveled together. The "elevation" part of home court might not be as pronounced.
At some point the Nuggets might tire out here and the Blazers might take control of this series. Possibly 3 more games to go.

 

[Chris Craig]

Strangely, in the 2 games the Blazers lost in the series, they won the fourth quarter. In the two games they won in the series, the lost in the fourth quarter.

 

[twobullz]

Blazers need to control their turnovers. 6+ more turnovers last night is the difference in the game. 6 extra possessions for the nuggets. Friday night Denver had a +7 in turnovers. Win the turnover battle win the game.

 

[illmatic99]

Strangely, in the 2 games the Blazers lost in the series, they won the fourth quarter. In the two games they won in the series, the lost in the fourth quarter.

So the fourth quarter performance is largely irrelevant towards the final game result.

Much like our regular season

 

[brooklynballer]

I wonder what would happen if we put Jokic in Dame\CJ pick and rolls EVERY TIME.
Can Tub Of Lard actually play 1 on 1 defense against any of those guys? is he in shape to defend guards for 48 minutes? i'm pretty sure he's not as athletic as Anthony Davis.

We’ll never know cuz Stotts won’t try anything new. SMH. Jokic is literally as slow as molasses yet the Blazers aren’t putting him in any situations to expose his weakest attribute (his complete and utter lack of footspeed). If Stotts tried what you suggest he just might be surprised by the result.

 

[B-Roy]

We’ll never know cuz Stotts won’t try anything new. SMH. Jokic is literally as slow as molasses yet the Blazers aren’t putting him in any situations to expose his weakest attribute (his complete and utter lack of footspeed). If Stotts tried what you suggest he just might be surprised by the result.

They are trying but Gary Harris does an excellent job at fighting through screens. Or they shade over a second defender. In game 4 a few of the times Dame got open they called Zach for an offensive foul.

It's definitely not due to lack of trying.

 

[tester551]

They are trying but Gary Harris does an excellent job at fighting through screens. Or they shade over a second defender. In game 4 a few of the times Dame got open they called Zach for an offensive foul.

It's definitely not due to lack of trying.

Collins is only adequate at setting screens. Kanter is good, but not great.

Best screen setters we have are Nurk & Meyers. Put Meyers in there to run P&R for 5 minutes and see what happens.