Stealing Game One of the Playoffs

[KingSpeed]

I'm reviewing the schedule over and over and getting excited about where we'll be come playoff time. 7 of our last 9 are at home. Only 4 of those last 9 are against playoff teams. Meanwhile, Memphis plays 5 straight playoff teams to end the season including 2 vs the Warriors who will be playing for history. Granted, we play the Warriors once but Grizzlies play 3 of final 4 on the road. 5th seed is very much in play especially since we currently hold the tiebreaker (conference record).

But that's not what has me the most excited. What has me the most excited is that we get THREE DAYS OFF between our final two games of the season: at home against Minnesota on April 9th and at home against Denver on April 13th. This means that, leading up to the playoffs, we'll have lots of time for rest and practice for fine tuning our defense. We'll be the most rested team in the NBA come season's end and we won't have left home since April 5th.

So here's what's fun, we are GREAT when we are rested. We are 11-1 when playing after 2 or more days of rest. These 11 wins include a 29 point win vs Cleveland and a 32 point win vs Golden State.

What this all means is that we are going to be in a GREAT position to steal Game 1 of our first round playoff series and that would put us in the driver's seat going forward.

Lots to get excited about.....

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

#jinxspeed

 

[kjironman1]

The most rested team in the Playoffs will be the #1 seeded Golden State Warriors and the #2 seeded San Antonio Spurs. You know enough about the NBA to know this.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The most rested team in the Playoffs will be the #1 seeded Golden State Warriors and the #2 seeded San Antonio Spurs. You know enough about the NBA to know this.

If the Warriors decide to chase the Bulls' record, they might not be all that rested going into the playoffs.

And let's not forget that with both teams coming off over a week's rest, the Blazers absolutely smoked the Warriors.

 

[kjironman1]

If the Warriors decide to chase the Bulls' record, they might not be all that rested going into the playoffs.

And let's not forget that with both teams coming off over a week's rest, the Blazers absolutely smoked the Warriors.

Won't happen Friday. You know better than that.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Won't happen Friday. You know better than that.

Just saying, both teams fully rested doesn't necessarily mean that the Warriors will be significantly (or at all) better than the Blazers. But Blazers rested has meant a win almost every time this season, excluding a ridiculous 4th quarter collapse in the 6th game of the season.

 

[Draco]

I don't like our chances against Golden State or the Spurs in round 1.

But I could definitely see us making it a series against the Clipps or Thunder.

All teams will be fully rested so fatigue will be irrelevant. Injuries could make a difference, Griffin still isn't back. Somebody else could get hurt between now and game 1.

 

[KingSpeed]

The most rested team in the Playoffs will be the #1 seeded Golden State Warriors and the #2 seeded San Antonio Spurs. You know enough about the NBA to know this.

Nope. Warriors are chasing record. Plus, Spurs may rest individual players but they can't rest everybody. For the reasons I stated, we will be the most rested team while also not traveling for a full 11 days prior to game 1 of playoffs.

 

[KingSpeed]

While Blazers are at home for 11 days, Spurs are playing 3 of their last 5 games on the road.

 

[kjironman1]

Delusional as usual. But that is fine. I love your attitude. So many positive vibes you just might not be wrong?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Delusional as usual. But that is fine. I love your attitude. So many positive vibes you just might not be wrong?

We're having a Mags/Kingspeed season right now. We are probably not going to face the Spurs or Warriors in the first round; I think we have 6th place alone if we take care of business. Is OKC resting guys? Are the Clippers?

Season fatigue is real, no matter if all teams get three days before the playoffs or whatever. The Blazers used to suffer from this. I think we can steal game one on the road from either OKC or LAC, regardless of KS's rest theory. They are vulnerable franchises clinging to upper tier relevance, and we have nothing to lose. They might tighten up if we punch them in the jaw hard and early.

 

[B-Roy]

After this crazy stretch of games the schedule gets pretty easy to close out the season. We should be able to make up some of the ground that we inevitable lose in these next 2 weeks.

 

[kjironman1]

We're having a Mags/Kingspeed season right now. We are probably not going to face the Spurs or Warriors in the first round; I think we have 6th place alone if we take care of business. Is OKC resting guys? Are the Clippers?

Season fatigue is real, no matter if all teams get three days before the playoffs or whatever. The Blazers used to suffer from this. I think we can steal game one on the road from either OKC or LAC, regardless of KS's rest theory. They are vulnerable franchises clinging to upper tier relevance, and we have nothing to lose. They might tighten up if we punch them in the jaw hard and early.

That is something i can wholeheartedly agree with.

 

[Draco]

We're having a Mags/Kingspeed season right now. We are probably not going to face the Spurs or Warriors in the first round; I think we have 6th place alone if we take care of business. Is OKC resting guys? Are the Clippers?

Season fatigue is real, no matter if all teams get three days before the playoffs or whatever. The Blazers used to suffer from this. I think we can steal game one on the road from either OKC or LAC, regardless of KS's rest theory. They are vulnerable franchises clinging to upper tier relevance, and we have nothing to lose. They might tighten up if we punch them in the jaw hard and early.

Yeah maybe; it'll be fun to see what happens. I think we have a chance to win any single game because we have two elite scorers and a collection of role players.

The Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Clips are all veteran squads that will pace themselves for the playoffs and be fully prepared. How will our crew of many first time playoff players perform? They might be nervous or have trouble sleeping or who knows what.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Yeah maybe; it'll be fun to see what happens. I think we have a chance to win any single game because we have two elite scorers and a collection of role players.

The Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Clips are all veteran squads that will pace themselves for the playoffs and be fully prepared. How will our crew of many first time playoff players perform? They might be nervous or have trouble sleeping or who knows what.

An experienced player, one who has taken his team to the second round of the playoffs by his own hand and knows what it takes to win, would be super useful here. If he was in a leadership position on the team, it'd be even better.

I think we have the right guidance. If anyone can make a group of kids play one possession at a time until they look up at the scoreboard and have won the game, it's Dame.

 

[Chris Craig]

I wouldn't want to face the Blazers in the first round...best chemistry in the league...they are going to bring it with a scary intensity...it's going to be a lot of fun to watch...very exciting!

 

[kjironman1]

I wouldn't want to face the Blazers in the first round...best chemistry in the league...they are going to bring it with a scary intensity...it's going to be a lot of fun to watch...very exciting!

We might feel that way, and we might think others feel that way, but in all actuality no team that is going to come up against the Blazers (should they make the playoffs) will fear them.

 

[Draco]

We might feel that way, and we might think others feel that way, but in all actuality no team that is going to come up against the Blazers (should they make the playoffs) will fear them.

Yeah I'm sure those 4 West teams are primarily concerned with themselves or later rounds, as they really should be. But they'd rather play an injury depleted Memphis squad or old Mavs team or no elite scorer Utah squad. Most experts are sayin we're the only first round West matchup that may be entertaining to watch.

 

[KingSpeed]

Yeah maybe; it'll be fun to see what happens. I think we have a chance to win any single game because we have two elite scorers and a collection of role players.

The Warriors, Spurs, Thunder, Clips are all veteran squads that will pace themselves for the playoffs and be fully prepared. How will our crew of many first time playoff players perform? They might be nervous or have trouble sleeping or who knows what.

Most of our key players have played in the playoffs before.

We might feel that way, and we might think others feel that way, but in all actuality no team that is going to come up against the Blazers (should they make the playoffs) will fear them.

What is your source?

 

[theprunetang]

King was mostly right about the season with his Homer power. I am just going to believe what he writes from this point forward. So yeah, Blazers are going to be fresh as hell and turn that into hell for our opponent. Jinxspeed no longer.

 

[Draco]

King was mostly right about the season with his Homer power. I am just going to believe what he writes from this point forward. So yeah, Blazers are going to be fresh as hell and turn that into hell for our opponent. Jinxspeed no longer.

Well last year he said we could win a title after the Wes injury just as Dallas did with Caron Butler. I haven't seen him bump that thread.

I'm not gonna be expecting any wins in the playoffs but I do think this team has a chance any game. Just getting one or two wins would be pretty awesome!

 

[theprunetang]

Well last year he said we could win a title after the Wes injury just as Dallas did with Caron Butler. I haven't seen him bump that thread.

I'm not gonna be expecting any wins in the playoffs but I do think this team has a chance any game. Just getting one or two wins would be pretty awesome!

I honestly think we could steal a couple of games against anyone. It is going to happen.

 

[kjironman1]

What is your source?

Every rational thinking mind in basketball. If they actually hold onto 6th which is absolutely no lock. They might actually win a game or two. I am with you there. But the Thunder will take care of business.

 

[KingSpeed]

Every rational thinking mind in basketball. If they actually hold onto 6th which is absolutely no lock. They might actually win a game or two. I am with you there. But the Thunder will take care of business.

That's bullshit. You don't know who these players fear or don't fear. Nor do the so-called "every rational thinking mind in basketball." I know more about basketball than most of these guys anyway. By the way, the Thunder may not hold onto the 3rd seed.

 

[kjironman1]

That's bullshit. You don't know who these players fear or don't fear. Nor do the so-called "every rational thinking mind in basketball." I know more about basketball than most of these guys anyway. By the way, the Thunder may not hold onto the 3rd seed.

Well you do have a point there. The Thunder do have the tougher schedule but of course Westbrook just dropped a Triple Double on them last night in a win over the Clippers. They end the season pretty much on the road. They only play the Clippers one more time but to this point the Thunder have won 2 of the 3 games. The other thing is that the Thunder currently hold a 2.5 game lead and they would automatically win any tie with the divisional title that they most certainly will get. Another thing is that the Clippers play the Lakers twice more so one of their road games is actually at home. They definitely have an easier schedule than the Thunder. There is one other point that deserves some recognition is the Thunder play Portland twice. Of course we will all be pulling for those wins right? Interesting that the Clippers also have a poor home record at 21-11. only a half game better than their road record @ 20-11.
I would much rather the Blazers get the Clippers than the Thunder but seems unlikely to me at this point. But again neither of these teams will fear the Blazers. They simply have more talent and experience.