There are lots of "Most Important Game Of The Year"'s....

[chris_in_pdx]

But I think tonight's game screams it at the top of it's lungs. National Television, winner gets first place in the NW Division and a leg up in the crazy West. Worried about it being 2nd of a back-to-back, and the Denver altitude factor can't be dismissed. Plus last night's game was a gutty war that drained just about everyone. I'm hoping that perhaps Nate held Channing out of last night's game, partly because of matchup issues, but Nate wants him to step up HUGE against Nene and the Nugz.

Can't wait for tip off!

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

With as close as the west is this year, any tie-breaker advantages the Blazers can get could be important as well.

Gramps...

 

[Minstrel]

I sure hope this isn't a "must win" since Portland has so little chance of winning it.

I'd love to see them win it, but the odds are stacked heavily against them. I'd say, at most, it's must-win for Denver. They can't afford to drop a home game against a division rival who's on the second game of a back-to-back.

 

[PapaG]

I sure hope this isn't a "must win" since Portland has so little chance of winning it.

I'd love to see them win it, but the odds are stacked heavily against them. I'd say, at most, it's must-win for Denver. They can't afford to drop a home game against a division rival who's on the second game of a back-to-back.

Yep, I have a difficult time calling this a "must-win" for Portland solely because of the factors working against them. I also agree with it being close to a "must-win" for Denver considering their game Friday.

 

[MAS RipCity]

it is not a must-win, but it would go a LONG ways in our HCA hopes..now the next 4 after this game at home are musts imo

 

[ABM]

Nights such as this (kinda) make me glad I'm unemployed.

Tip-off here is roughly 10:30 PMS EST.

 

[ABM]

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_11844889

 

[Nikolokolus]

I sure hope this isn't a "must win" since Portland has so little chance of winning it.

I'd love to see them win it, but the odds are stacked heavily against them. I'd say, at most, it's must-win for Denver. They can't afford to drop a home game against a division rival who's on the second game of a back-to-back.

Pretty much word for word what I was planning to write after I opened up this thread.

If they win it, great, but I'm not counting on it.

 

[Shooter]

I'm looking forward to the game, but I hardly think it's the most important game of the year. They're all important in their own way, and what matters is where we stand when the regular season is over.

The best part about this game, in my opinion, is that it will be broadcast in HD, which makes a world of difference.

 

[alex42083]

Yeah I echo the feelings that it's not a must win, but if we did win, it'd make a huge statement about our team and how far we've come to sit No. 3 in the West.
Print those tickets!

 

[hasoos]

Step up or step out.

I think it is fairly important about how the Blazers show up for this game. A lot of talk up above is about the chances of the Blazers winning being low, but I believe that the level the Blazers compete at in this game will say a lot more than if it is a W or a L.

It is one thing to show up and compete at a high level, to the end. It is another to show up and fold like most people expect a young team to do.

 

[HailBlazers]

Not a must win... But from the players and coach's standpoint the next game is always "The most important game of the year." Must be tough, but that's why they get paid the big bucks.

Go Blazers!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

An important game (but not a must win) no doubt, but it's probably more important for the psyche of those on this board!!

If we lose, we know we have work to do. If we win, vindication on a stick!!

I stayed home from work today with a cold and now a sinus headache. I have a feeling it will be worse regardless of the outcome but emotionally, I'll feel much better if we win.

Go Blazers!!

 

[KingSpeed]

We haven't had a long winning streak all season. I think this is it. We win in Denver and we're gonna extend this streak to 8 or 9 games minimum. It's time to step up and separate us for the pack. I don't want Utah to ever catch us. Let's frustrate the fuck out of them by not losing anytime soon.

 

[Shooter]

If we lose, we know we have work to do. If we win, vindication on a stick!!

Guess we have work to do.