Game Thread GAME# 5: BLAZERS @ HEAT - OCTOBER 27, 2018 - SATURDAY, 5:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
3 - 1
(1-0 Road)
MIAMI HEAT
2- 2
(1-1 Home)


_____________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS GORAN DRAGIĆ

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS JOSH RICHARDSON

SF

JAKE LAYMAN VS RODNEY McGRUDER

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS KELLY OLYNYK

C

JUSUF NURKIC VS HASSAN WHITESIDE



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WHEN: 5:00 PM, SATURDAY, 10/27/2018

WHERE: AMERICANAIRLINES ARENA, MIAMI, FL

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

​

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--------------BENCH--------------
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

CURRY , BALDWIN , SIMONS

TURNER , STAUSKAS , TRENT Jr.

HARKLESS , SWANIGAN

COLLINS , LEONARD

------ MIAMI HEAT------

JOHNSON , WADE , ELLINGTON

JONES Jr. , WINSLOW , JOHNSON

ROBINSON , HASLEM

MATEN , ADEBAYO


INJURIES
TRAIL BLAZERS
NONE
HEAT
Justise Winslow (sore right hamstring): PROBABLE
James Johnson (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Derrick Jones Jr. (left foot): QUESTIONABLE
Wayne Ellington (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Dion Waiters (ankle): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- ERIK SPOELSTRA

OFFICIAL HEAT'S GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Saturday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Heat during the 2018-19 season. The Trail Blazers swept the season series in 2017-18, 2-0.

• LAST MEETING: The Trail Blazers beat the Heat in Portland on March 12, 115-99. Damian Lillard led Portland with 32 points (8-19 FG, 7-14 3-PT, 9-10 FT) and 10 assists while Jusuf Nurkic chipped in a double-double of his own with 27 points and 16 rebounds. Goran Dragic paced the Heat with 23 points (10-17 FG, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and two assists.

• In two games against Miami last season, Damian Lillard averaged 25.0 points (39.4% FG, 40.0 % 3-PT, 94.1% FT), 4.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

• CJ McCollum averaged 22.5 points (51.9% FG, 41.7% 3-PT, 92.3 % FT), 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in two games against the Heat in 2017-18.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Goran Dragic averaged 17.0 points (48.3% FG, 66.7% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.00 steal.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 39-20
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 19-11
AT THE HEAT: Trail Blazers lead, 20-9

 

[tlongII]

Nice thread.

 

[TBpup]

Love the poll question. Talk about speculation!

Dragic always seems to give the Blazers fits and Olynyk is a PF who can shoot from the outside which seems to be something Stotts can't adjust to. Still, the Blazers should win this.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Sure would be nice to pick up our annual win in Miami!

 

[Chris Craig]

Trent Jr will be a role player

Simons will be a star caliber player

 

[THE HCP]

Trent Jr will be a role player

Simons will be a star caliber player

They both just brought my bags up to my room. Dame makes em'! #Rooks

 

[Chris Craig]

They both just brought my bags up to my room. Dame makes em'! #Rooks

Gotta start somewhere

 

[James lamphear]

Nurk won't have to chase there center around perimeter because of Whiteside. I believe this will be closed game.

 

[stampedehero]

Great Job! I like the team vs team logo layout.

 

[theprunetang]

Of course D Wade always plays us like he is 10 years younger. That's dangerous because he thrives on the midrange, which is precisely what our defense is designed to give up. Hopefully he remembers his age.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Miami with 3 days off. Been home since Saturday night (Full week) I don't like that at all.

 

[kjironman1]

Went with Gary because i can pronounce the name.

 

[THE HCP]

Great Job! I like the team vs team logo layout.

Big deal! ANYBODY could make that.

 

[Jade Falcon]

I think we'll lose this game. Nurk had his way with Miami last season because Whiteside was out. I don't expect him to have a breakout game here.

At the same time though....we do have a better bench than we did last year. So I suppose a win is possible.

But I think Whiteside may win the paint battle against Nurk. If Wade shows up, that could be the deciding factor.

Go Blazers!

 

[Labinot41]

Wake up Rip City, it's Time to beat the Heat

 

[Jade Falcon]

Wake up Rip City, it's Time to beat the Heat

 

[SIeepwalker]

Wake up Rip City, it's Time to beat the Heat

I'll beat the meat if we beat the Heat !

 

[kjironman1]

Blazers vs Heat

Second game of the road trip and the Blazers have had a little fun in the sun i suppose. Hopefully they are doing the team stuff that brings teams closer during the year. They say road trips are where the teams gel. The Blazers have guys that have played together for as many as 4 or 5 years now and only added a few players so this team should have a pretty good feel on and off the court.

The Heat are not a bad team at all this year. They are a good defensive team with defensive rating of 102.8. They do not however score big points at 107.8 for an offensive rating. They are a very solid rebounding team. the best the Blazers have faced so far this year. DWade has made an impact off the bench. He comes in and does what he does. Still has the ability to change games for short periods. You have to give him his respect as he is still a very good player. Their leading scorer is Josh Richardson. he can get going and is bigger than CJ. If CJ cannot guard him they will have to get Harkless to take that challenge. It would be a mistake to put Jake on Richardson at this point.

Speaking of Harkless the word is they are starting to ease up on the minutes restriction. It's time the Blazers get this figured out. I agree with many on here that Jake needs to be on the second unit. My thinking is he will be more successful and will get to do more of what he does best. Slashing and getting some better looks with Stauskas and Curry. In my opinion there is little need to drag this out 20 games. Layman needs minutes and he needs experience but he isn't really helping enough at this point with the starting unit.

Nurk vs Whiteside might be interesting. Whiteside is averaging just over 13 points and 14 rebs a game. Nurk is actually averaging 17 and 11. I was a little shocked when i read those numbers on Nurk. He is making an impact and he is also throwing down dunks that he used to finger roll last year. If Nurkic continues at this pace this year nobody can complain. I think he has the ability to be effective against Whiteside. Hassan does not even attempt 3's so look for the Blazers to be able to pack the paint a bit and frustrate the Heat. But also look for them to work to get second chance points as Whiteside will be parked under the basket. If the Blazers choose to go small and pick up the pace with a perimeter game this could become very one sided. The thing is they have to make those threes. Collins very well could have a huge impact on this game.

Lets hope the Heat have a dude in the stands that wants to mouth off to Lillard. It's always nice to see Lillard and CJ have a good game. That is what teams need on the road. They need their best players to lead and have good games. The road is hard enough to win on. It's almost impossible if Lillard is off. Lillard needs to contain Dragic. We all know quick crafty PG's can be a problem.

I'm going with Aminu this game as my pick. If Aminu is hitting shots and making big plays this game goes in the win column.

Go Blazers
Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

[Shaboid]

I'll beat the meat if we beat the Heat !

It'll be a feat while I sit in my seat, hell, I'll cheat, to beat the Heat.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

It'll be a feat while I sit in my seat, hell, I'll cheat, to beat the Heat.

Nice treat.

 

[riverman]

They both just brought my bags up to my room. Dame makes em'! #Rooks

I didn't realize you were in charge of all the recycling ….at least they bring them to you

 

[hoopsjock]

I'll beat the meat if we beat the Heat !

Lets be honest, you are doing that win or loss.

 

[Jade Falcon]

If we lose this game, I'm going to Flair Chop the nearest fat person.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Im so excited for another Blazer game tonight!!!!!

 

[BigGameDamian]

If we lose this game, I'm going to Flair Chop the nearest fat person.

This Heat team is no joke.

 

[BonesJones]

Why's it at 8 local time?

 

[Jade Falcon]

Why's it at 8 local time?

Are you sure that's not EST? PST says 5 PM.

 

[BonesJones]

Are you sure that's not EST? PST says 5 PM.

8 local time as in Miami.

 

[Jade Falcon]

8 local time as in Miami.

......are you in Miami?

 

[Chris Craig]

This will be the toughest game yet