Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 4: BLAZERS @ THUNDER - APRIL 21, 2019, SUNDAY, 6:30 PM , TNT & NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2018-19 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
53 - 29
(21-20 Road)
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
49 - 33
(27-14 Home)

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

PG

DAMIAN LILLARD VS NEXT QUESTION

SG

C.J. McCOLLUM VS TERRANCE FERGUSON

PF

MAURICE HARKLESS VS INJURY FAKER

PF

AL-FAROUQ AMINU VS JERAMI GRANT

C

ENES KANTER VS STEVEN ADAMS

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

WHEN: 6:30 PM (PDT), SUNDAY, 4/21/2019

WHERE: CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

TV BROADCAST:

AND

RADIO BROADCAST:

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

CURRY , SIMONS , HOOD

TURNER , TRENT Jr. , LAYMAN

LABISSIERE , COLLINS , LEONARD

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

FELTON , SCHRODER , DIALLO

BURTON , NADER , GRANTHAM

PATTERSON , MORRIS , NOEL



INJURIES
BLAZERS
Jusuf Nurkic (left leg injury): OUT
THUNDER
Andre Roberson (left patellar tendon): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

TERRY STOTTS --- BILLY DONOVAN



THUNDER' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES
TRAIL BLAZERS' OFFICIAL GAME NOTES ​

SEASON SERIES NOTES
• Oklahoma City swept Portland 4-0, one season after Portland swept Oklahoma City 4-0.
• The Thunder’s average margin of victory in the four wins was 7.0 points.
• Damian Lillard posted his highest scoring average against a Western Conference opponent vs. the Thunder this season, averaging 34.8 points (46.2% FG, 25.0% 3-PT, 91.7% FT) to go with 4.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.50 steals in four games.
• Lillard scored a season-high 51 points vs. the Thunder on March 7.
• Lillard posted career highs in free throws (18) and attempts (20) in the March 7 overtime loss to the Thunder.
• CJ McCollum averaged 19.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists in four games.
• Paul George paced the Thunder vs. Portland this season, posting averages of 38.0 points (45.2% FG, 45.9% 3-PT, 85.0 FT%), 10.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.75 steals.
• Russell Westbrook averaged 29.5 points (43.2% FG, 35.0% 3-PT, 78.4% FT), 10.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists vs. Portland this season.

PLAYOFF SERIES NOTES
• The series marks Portland’s first playoff matchup against a divisional opponent since facing the Lakers in 2002 as members of the Pacific Division. The Trail Blazers have never faced a Northwest Division opponent since the division was formed in 2004-05.
• This marks the first playoff series between the Trail Blazers and Thunder since the franchise moved from Seattle to Oklahoma City prior to the 2008-09 season.
• The Trail Blazers have now faced every Western Conference franchise in their current city in the playoffs with the exception of Sacramento.
• Portland played Seattle four times in the postseason, going 8-8 vs. the Sonics with each team winning two series.
• The Sonics defeated the Trail Blazers 4-2 in the 1978 Western Conference Semifinals.
• Seattle beat Portland 2-1 in a first-round matchup in 1980.
• In 1983, Portland defeated Seattle 2-0 in the first round.
• The Trail Blazers beat the Sonics 3-2 in the first round of the 1991 NBA Playoffs.

CONNECTIONS
• Portland center Enes Kanter played parts of three seasons for the Thunder from 2014-17, averaging 14.2 points and 8.0 rebounds in 180 games (27 starts).
• Thunder guard Raymond Felton spent the 2011-12 season in Portland, where he averaged 11.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 60 games (56 starts).
• Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts was a four-year starter at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned All-Big Eight honors his senior year.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN THE SERIES
GAME #1: WIN 104-99



GAME #2: WIN 114-94



GAME #3: Loss 120-108

​

 

[Darkwebs]

NBA PLAYOFFS BRACKET

As of 4/19/2019

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Though the Blazers now are unable to get an old fashion sweep after losing Game 3, there's still a chance for a Gentleman's Sweep, which might even be better, as Portland fans get to join in the celebration if the Blazers can knock out the Thunder and advance to the next round.

But to complete a Gentleman's Sweep, the Blazers must start by winning Game 4 in OKC. This will be no easy task, as Game 3 showed. The Blazers must cut down on the turnovers, and somehow defend George without rolling out the red carpet to the charity stripe for him. Our bench needs to contribute more, as well.

Hopefully the Blazer don't lay an (Easter) egg tonight.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Let them have their one game when they get hot from 3. If it's their game plan for the next games too this serie is gonna go well.

I'll take Russ shooting 6 three pointers any day of the fucking week

 

[BonesJones]

This game is PIVOTAL. If Portland loses, the pressures in them in game 5 with 0 momentum. Win, and have 3 chances to close them out.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I want the win at home, so Im a gentleman.

 

[TBpup]

Russ hot from 3-pt range
Grant couldn't miss
Schroder almost scored 20

I don't see that happening very often. That said, George will be better next game and I don't see Dame going for 25 points in one quarter... the downside of which was, only 7 points the rest of the game.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Russ hot from 3-pt range
Grant couldn't miss
Schroder almost scored 20

I don't see that happening very often. That said, George will be better next game and I don't see Dame going for 25 points in one quarter... the downside of which was, only 7 points the rest of the game.

Pretty much agree, except Schroder. He looks pretty good. I could see him putting it together again because he isnt a focal point of our defense. SO he is like our Harkless or curry. He will get the opportunities when we clamp down on their stars.

Dame seems to always figure out how to get points on the board. Id like to see him come out a bit more aggressive this game though and put OKC and Brick on their heels.

I think we can take this. Dame needs to continue the feud with him and Brick. It fuels Dame and frustrates Brick.

 

[James lamphear]

All I can say Westbrook talking shit last night but hate to tell him your still down 2-1.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here is what I would hope for in game 4. 1. Lillard not get interested in battle between him and Westbrook; work on getting the team involved instead of besting Westbrook. 2.As Bone-jones said, go under screens with Schroder. 3. Don't leave 3 pt shooters like Grant wide open. 4. Try to get Curry involved.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

That game 3 was the game they should won. Game 4 it’s our game. They piss Dame. Not a good a ideia.. he’s gonna go off next game

 

[DDolla]

Just Win Baby!

 

[tlongII]

Nobody said it would be easy.

 

[Wade Garrett]

Here's where I wish Terry would have gone off in last nights postgame..taken the $25,000 fine like Riley, Jackson or Pop would have.
It does work.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

Here's where I wish Terry would have gone off in last nights postgame..taken the $25,000 fine like Riley, Jackson or Pop would have.
It does work.

We pay this. I mean, the team. That’s nothing

 

[THE HCP]

OKC shoots the 3 like they have all season and we cut down on unforced TOs and we win this game.

 

[riverman]

We got this...the good thing is there are no back to backs...plenty of time to game plan and adjust

 

[DDolla]

I’m worried about the spread. Vegas just gave OKC a 6 point favorite for game 4.

 

[THE HCP]

I’m worried about the spread. Vegas just gave OKC a 6 point favorite for game 4.

Why would that affect your level of worry?

 

[KingSpeed]

This game is PIVOTAL. If Portland loses, the pressures in them in game 5 with 0 momentum. Win, and have 3 chances to close them out.

Every game is pivotal. I don’t think there is such a thing as momentum. Did we have momentum when Roy won Game 4 in 2011? No they destroyed us in Game 5. Every game is a fight and the result of the game before means nothing really.

 

[tlongII]

Why would that affect your level of worry?

Probably because Vegas is usually right.

 

[KingSpeed]

I mean did our “momentum” help us after Game 2?

 

[BonesJones]

Every game is pivotal. I don’t think there is such a thing as momentum. Did we have momentum when Roy won Game 4 in 2011? No they destroyed us in Game 5. Every game is a fight and the result of the game before means nothing really.

"I'm Kingspeed and I have to disagree with everything everyone says by posing statements with little context."

We were up 2-2 after game 4 that series with 2 out of 3 on the road.. Wed be up 3-1 in this series with 2 put of 3 at home.

Hopefully you can see the difference. Smfh.

 

[BonesJones]

I mean did our “momentum” help us after Game 2?

We won at HOME then went on the ROAD.

Wed win on the ROAD and come HOME.

Why the hell do you always ignore context to try and argue some BS?

 

[BBert]

If we have home court: Gentleman's sweep so we can finish them off in front of the home crowd.

If not, 4-0. Don't let them breath. (And finish them off in front of the home crowd.)

 

[Orion Bailey]

Every game is pivotal. I don’t think there is such a thing as momentum. Did we have momentum when Roy won Game 4 in 2011? No they destroyed us in Game 5. Every game is a fight and the result of the game before means nothing really.

There is such a thing as confidence though and momentum/ winning, can help increase that confidence into the next game.

Same with losing.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Random thought but while a few of the OKC players are uhhh, interesting... I was pleasantly surprised the fans cheered for Kanter. All in all I think the OKC fans have been good fans.

 

[KingSpeed]

We won at HOME then went on the ROAD.

Wed win on the ROAD and come HOME.

Why the hell do you always ignore context to try and argue some BS?

You’re lost. I’m 2011, we won games 3 & 4 at home but that didn’t give us momentum going to Dallas in Game 5. OKC won’t have momentum going into Game 5 on the road if they’re 2-2 because I don’t think there is such a thing as momentum. We didn’t have momentum after game 2 of this series. In all the scenarios, I don’t believe there was momentum after two home wins.

 

[KingSpeed]

What I’m saying is Dallas didn’t have “0 momentum” after Game 4 because there is no such thing as momentum. Just individual games.

 

[Labinot41]

Why would that affect your level of worry?

You know how the NBA works bro