Defense rebounding Free throw makes Got hold down one there 3 scores under 15 One of Harkless or Aminu must have a good game on both ends. Bench gives us 30+
Limiting the turnovers was a thing of beauty yesterday. I didn't see anyone get stripped on a defensive rebound which was very encouraging
Keys... 1. We certainly aren't going to change the starting lineup, so make sure Hood and Collins and company are ready to impact the game when they hit the court. 2. Box out and secure the goddamn rebounds. 3. Play with more energy. Denver hustles, we need to hustle more. 4. Stay positive, unless that means angry Dame. I love angry Dame. But leave the refs alone. 5. I think the biggest key is we need a good game from Dame and CJ, and then there's less pressure on the other guys, like Seth and Rodney... (We can't let an off night from, say, ET, to torpedo the season.) An on night for the team and we are flying to Oakland shortly, an off night and it is going to be harder. When we play our game, we are unbeatable. 6. I could keep going forever, but lastly, is Stotts has to stay sharp. Throw different defenders at Jokic and Milsap, double, hedge, etc. Stotts has to keep it fresh and effective. I'm delusionally excited. Go Blazers!
I put money on no starting lineup changes. However i believe terry will have a quick trigger finger and both collins and hood get 25 plus mimutes.
Hopefully the 2 days rest will get Harkless and Aminu legs back under them. After that 4 QT over time both players look really tired in few games. Maybe them not getting the minutes they usually get the last game have lit fire under there ass.
Buy Russel Westbrook a plane ticket from Cancun to Denver (nonstop). Get on Stubhub buy him first row seat along the baseline of the basket Portland will be going towards in the second half. Win World Championship.
Another key... Have some auxiliary character, a broadcaster for the Nuggets say or a ticket office, do something to rile Dame up... You couldn't write a better script.
In game 6 Denver had 16 offensive rebounds to Portland's 11. If Portland can keep them around 15 offensive rebounds in Denver. Portland wins Sunday.
We aren’t changing the starting lineup, and I don’t disagree with that. They have missed some bunnies and both could have big games. But, if it isn’t happening, bring in Hood and Collins very early.
On defense, play Joker straight up most the time but do a few doubles and traps to keep him thinking. Same for Murray. Play everyone else straight up forcing them to create. They are very limited offensively. Limit layups and wide open threes. Box out when the shot goes up. Offensively work for good looks. Denver D breaks down after a few rotations. Don't settle for hard shots early in the clock. Dame or CJ can always get a tricky but makeable shot at the end of the clock if required. Trust the open teammate, don't force action into double teams. If open teammates miss sub in others. Go with the same starters but if Aminu and Harkless are terrible on offense sub them out early. Play the bench big minutes and pull players out of the game before they get tired. We will need to keep players fresh from the altitude. I want good looks on offense and no lapses on defense. I think the Nuggets could wilt under the pressure. They tried to in game 7 against the Spurs, the Spurs were even worse. I don't believe the Blazers with Dame and CJ leadership have any concerns of pressure. We can still play bad and go home losers though. If the Nuggets make difficult shots or the Blazers shoot terrible there's nothing they can do of that. I just want to see max effort and good decisions. Go Blazers!
