Game Thread SEEDING GAME# 3: ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - AUGUST 4, 2020 - TUESDAY, 6:00, TNT & NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2019-20 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
HOUSTON ROCKETS
41 - 24
(19-14 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
30 - 38
(19-14 Home)

______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

RUSSELL WESTBROOK VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

JAMES HARDEN VS C.J. McCOLLUM

SF

DANUEL HOUSE Jr. VS CARMELO ANTHONY

PF

ROBERT COVINGTON VS ZACH COLLINS

C

P.J. TUCKER VS JUSUF NURKIC

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------- JERSEYS -------

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WHEN: 6:00 PM (PDT), TUESDAY, 8/4/2020

WHERE: The Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, Florida

TV BROADCAST:

AND

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

-- HOUSTON ROCKETS --

CLEMONS , FRAZIER , RIVERS

McLEMORE , CARROLL , MBAH A MOUTE

CABOCLO , GREEN , CHANDLER


---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

ADAMS , SIMONS , TRENT Jr.

HEZONJA , LITTLE , HOARD

GABRIEL , WHITESIDE , BROWN



INJURIES
ROCKETS
Bruno Caboclo (right ankle sprain): QUESTIONABLE
Eric Gordon (Left Ankle Sprain): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Jaylen Adams (back): QUESTIONABLE
Trevor Ariza (personal reasons): OUT
Caleb Swanigan (personal reasons): OUT
Rodney Hood (torn Achilles): OUT




HEAD COACHES

- VS –

MIKE D'ANTONI --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL ROCKETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Tuesday's meeting will mark the fourth and final game between the Trail Blazers and the Rockets during the 2019-20 season. Portland leads the season series, 2-1.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers defeated the Rockets on Jan. 29 at Moda Center, 125-112. Damian Lillard led Portland with the first triple-double of his career, finishing with 36 points
(11-21 FG, 6-12 3-PT, 8-10 FT), 10 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal while Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 39 points (16-29 FG, 1-3 3-PT, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds and six assists.

• In three games against Houston this season, Damian Lillard has averaged 24.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists. He has scored at least 25 points in seven of his last 11 games against the Rockets.

• CJ McCollum scored 22 points (9-19 FG, 1-7 3-PT, 3-7 FT) to go with five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks against Houston on Jan. 29. He has scored at least 22 points in five straight games against the Rockets.

• James Harden had 18 points, five rebounds and four assists at Portland on Jan. 29. In three games against the Trail Blazers this season, he has averaged 22.3 points and 5.3 assists.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Rockets lead, 111-88
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 53-46
AT THE ROCKETS: Rockets lead, 65-35

​

 

[Darkwebs]

BATTLE FOR THE 8TH

​

 

[blazerkor]

That is a horrible poll question, I like the option to pick Meyers because it is hilarious but it really was Dame that got us back in position to win it and it was Dame who choked on that play where he passed it to Nurk. The whole team was responsible for the loss but Stotts was probably most to blame for the initial game plan that got us in the hole. Then again, we saw our way out of that hole. I'm going with Meyers.

 

[blazerkor]

Not to be an asshole because family does come first but if Trevor Ariza were an option, that's who I would have had to choose.

 

[Labinot41]

25 shots for Nurkic, at least!

 

[tykendo]

Hey, there's stuff to work on. Had the Blazers pulled this out, maybe they look at it like they're invincible. They need to play better. But there is a lot to be excited about. Bubble play has been inconsistent for the favorites as well. But i like our chances. Go Blazers!! BEAT The Chia & CO.

 

[A$AP Meyers]

The over / under for this game will be ridiculously high. I could easily see both teams in the 130s. It’s a fascinating matchup because we should absolutely punish them inside. But we’re also going to be outmatches across the board defensively.

Dame can check WB imo. He loves the matchup and there’s often a game within a game there. After that, it gets ugly. CJ on Harden? Melo on House? Zach on Tucker? Nurk on RoCo?

Houston p&r’s/pick and pops so much though it won’t matter. They’ll just be looking for a switch every possession.

I honestly think Terry should consider starting Melo at the 4, and Trent at the 3. Gary can guard Houston 1 through 4. His defense has been incredible all season, but especially in these two seeding games. He is just a flat out competitor, and has great hands and feet.

 

[A$AP Meyers]

One more thing I should add, is that I think this is a good game to cut Gabriel loose for a few 3 or 4 min stretches. He’s long and can move his feet. If he picks up a few fouls, who cares.

Whiteside should literally not see the floor more than maybe 10 min this game. Obviously he will, but there’s no reason for him to.

 

[Chris Craig]

FUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKK!!!!

 

[Chris Craig]

That is hilarious Leonard is an option in the poll.

Whenever we lose for now on it's Meyers fault!

 

[KSF-ERIC]

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Bucks are currently outrebounding Rockets 62 to 36. Nurk’s gonna have fun.

 

[Chris Craig]

Bucks are currently outrebounding Rockets 62 to 36. Nurk’s gonna have fun.

Yet, the rockets won

 

[DDolla]

The Rockets are 2-0 and they actually play some good defense. We will see another Nurk 30 point game but not feeling about this game.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers are fucked

 

[RipCity4Life0]

I can see Nurkic having a 20-20 game

 

[Chris Craig]

I can see Nurkic having a 20-20 game

He better have a 40/30 game

 

[HailBlazers]

Wish the poll votes were public! How am I the only one who voted Stotts?

 

[riverman]

I voted Zach....he was butterfingered all game...missed passes and bobbled rebounds...he was part of the hole we fell into and I like him but he gave the Celtics the ball way too often in this game in my view....they ran out of gas by the time they tied the game...sloppy finish but still...I think Zach made a ton of mistakes tonight..he was great against the Grizz

 

[Darkwebs]

Wish the poll votes were public! How am I the only one who voted Stotts?

This poll is actually public. Click on the number of votes and it will display who voted for that choice

 

[noknobs]

I hope we start Trent against the rockets. No way collins can stay on Covington who will just sit out there and cast threes, like the rest of their team.

 

[HailBlazers]

This poll is actually public. Click on the number of votes and it will display who voted for that choice

Word! Shame on @BigGameDamian @Chris Craig @Cugel @RipCity4Life0

 

[BlazerBeav]

As always, get Westbrook to take this game as a personal showdown between Dame and himself, and we're golden.

 

[B-Roy]

This is the game to play GTJ 36 minutes.

 

[THE HCP]

Hou- 145
PDX- 125

 

[Strenuus]

I'm crying laughing at the Meyers Leonard choice

You know your boy voted that! Lmao.

 

[James lamphear]

I think Stotts will start with the starters to see how it goes but we will see a lot small ball with Trent at the 3.

 

[illmatic99]

I hope we pound them down low.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

Must win game. Every game is at this point... but gotta bounce back for next one. Lets go

 

[Wade Garrett]

That is a horrible poll question, I like the option to pick Meyers because it is hilarious but it really was Dame that got us back in position to win it and it was Dame who choked on that play where he passed it to Nurk. The whole team was responsible for the loss but Stotts was probably most to blame for the initial game plan that got us in the hole. Then again, we saw our way out of that hole. I'm going with Meyers.

Your inability to give Boston any credit for the win is puzzling.
But, so is most of the opinions and reactions in here.
Rip City....