Game Thread GAME# 59: BLAZERS @ BULLS - FEBRUARY 27, 2016 - SATURDAY, 5:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

Their rookie Portis is who I wanted before the draft

 

Wow this Bulls team is...depleted, to put it nicely. We need to steal this one against that roster

 

The question up top is just a bit too simplistic. This isn't just the start of a 6 game road trip. This is the start of "Hell Month" for the Blazers. I look into this next 15 games and it looks to be make or break time for this team. 12 of the next 15 are on the road and all three home games are on a one game home turn around. This is what Greg Popovich calls essentially another road game because you travel to get there. This is also quite often the time when he pulls his patented "Sit the Starters" game. Going to be interesting to see if we don't get a game where Stotts needs to give the guys a rest? My choice for something like that would be the Golden State game in their building which is the first of a B2B and is a single road game between two home games against the Wiz and Magic. Perfect game to activate Alexander and Montero and leave Lillard and Cj at home due to "Nagging Injuries". Then start Kaman, PC, Roberts, Leonard and Harkless. Let the rest of the Starters play limited minutes or even leave them sit. This move would essentially give the starters 3 days off in the middle of 2 home games and catapult them into the OKC, SA, NO, and Dallas trip. Yes they will probably lose that game at Golden State if they do that. There is also no longer the need to play a player because of an "Ironman" streak. Never liked the idea of having to push a guy or even a team because some player needs to keep a streak alive.

It has been pointed out to me that not only will the next month be tough but as soon as the Blazers get through it they will then be granted 7 of the remaining 9 games at home. It all comes down to how well they play over the next month because i can only hope they are still in playoff position on the 26th of March when they take on the 76ers at home. This team plays very well at home and will be a tough nut to crack if they are.

As far as tonight's game goes? No question the Blazers can get this game. Bulls are ripe for the pickin. They are a good team however and you might still see Rose play. Gasol still is a tough match up for any team and Taj brings energy. Dunleavy has a tendency to shoot very well against the Blazers but in that aspect the Blazers defense has improved immensely covering perimeter shooters and personally i think people who knock Dame on defense are just not watching him this year. Lillard has played stellar defense against some of the greatest offensive players to ever play the game this year. Harden got his last game but it wasn't against Dame. when Dame was on him i watched him pick him a number of times. Of course Harden got the call for a reach but that seems to be the case quite often when they see that Beard start to flail....Pisses me off.....Point is the Blazers defense is much much better and should be able to hold these guys. My bet is if Rose does not play you will see more Brooks than Moore in the end. Brooks is the type that plays well against the Blazers.

It would be nice to see the Blazers get out early again and then hold a lead. but as the road usually goes there are very few easy wins on the road. Lets hope they come out hungry and active. Pick tonight is CJ. Dunleavy has his hands full with that match up.

Go Blazers!
Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

I'll be at the game. Every single time I've gone to the Bulls home games I'm literally the only Blazer fan there. Maybe it's because Blazer fans blend in as both teams have the same team colors.

 

Must win game tonight! Should be able to get this one! Go Blazers!

 

Potential good news for Blazer fans.

 

Isn't Rose questionable every night though?

 

Derrick Rose out tonight

 

*Waves*