Game Thread GAME# 14: SPURS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 18, 2021 - MONDAY, 12:00, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
7 - 6
(5-2 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
8 - 5
(4-3 Home)

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

PG

DEJOUNTE MURRAY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

LONNIE WALKER IV VS RODNEY HOOD

SF

KELDON JOHNSON VS DERRICK JONES Jr.

PF

DeMAR DeROZAN VS ROBERT COVINGTON

C

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS ENES KANTER

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

- - -

--------------------------------------------------------------


WHEN: 12:00 PM (PST), MONDAY, 1/18/2021

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

-----------------------------------------------------------------



--------------BENCH--------------

MILLS , JONES , VASSELL

BATES-DIOP , GAY , LYLES

EUBANKS , SAMANIC , POELTL



---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

SIMONS , TRENT Jr.

BLEVINS , LITTLE

ANTHONY , GILES




INJURIES
SPURS
Luka Samanic (sore throat): QUESTIONABLE
Keita Bates-Diop (upper respiratory infection): OUT
Drew Eubanks (health and safety protocols): OUT
Quinndary Weatherspoon (left knee surgery): OUT
Derrick White (left toe fracture): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
C.J. McCollum (left foot sprain): OUT
CJ Elleby (left foot strain): OUT
Jusuf Nurkic (broken right wrist): OUT
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

GREG POPOVICH --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL SPURS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• The Trail Blazers Jan. 18 game against the Spurs is the first of three meetings between Portland and San Antonio this season. The following two matchups will come during the Second Half of the season.

• LAST SEASON: The Trail Blazers won the season series against the Spurs in 2019-20, 2-1. Over the past four seasons, Portland and San Antonio have gone an even 7-7 in 14 contests.

• Damian Lillard averaged 25.3 points (32.8% FG, 25.0% 3-PT, 96.2% FT), 5.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists in three games against San Antonio last season.

• In three games against the Spurs last season, CJ McCollum averaged 26.0 points (47.0% FG, 47.8% 3-PT, 71.4% FT), 4.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists.

• LaMarcus Aldridge averaged 21.7 points (45.0% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 87.5% FT), 9.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks in three games against Portland last season.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Spurs lead, 87-86
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 55-31
AT THE SPURS: Spurs lead, 56-32

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Pictured above is one of the quotes by MLK etched into the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in DC. And boy, does it perfectly encapsulate the Blazers games lately.

You may not have noticed, but the Blazers have been down at least 16 points for 4 straight games. This is a heap of despair for all of us. How can this Portland team fall behind so badly and consistenly to these mostly less-than-stellar teams? (TOR, SAC, IND, ATL)

However, that the Blazers have been resilient enough to win 3 of those 4 games definitely gives us some semblance of hope. It shows us this team doesn't give up. They know how to persevere and come up with big plays. They have the talent to beat sub-.500 teams (not much of a compliment, but it's something).

Although it makes for an exciting and exhilirating ride, it's also very frustrating and stressful to be down big every night.

For one game, can we not spot the opponent a big double-digit lead? Thank you.

 

[THE HCP]

5AM crew call!

 

[maxiep]

Simons?

 

[Darkwebs]

Simons?

I'm assuming CJ won't be able to play this game. As of now, CJ hasn't been officially ruled out of this game yet, but the injury looked kind of bad.

 

[THE HCP]

I think they should start GT and let him loose for 40 minutes!

 

[maxiep]

I'm assuming CJ won't be able to play this game. As of now, CJ hasn't been officially ruled out of this game yet, but the injury looked kind of bad.

Agreed, but shouldn't it be Trent?

 

[Darkwebs]

Agreed, but should it be Trent?

Since Stotts chose Simons to start the 2nd half of the Hawks game in place of CJ, my assumption is he will do the same to start this game. Just a guess, of course. Maybe Stotts feel like Simons play more similarly to CJ, stylistically, and so he feels more comfortable with that. I don't know.

 

[TBpup]

Since Stotts chose Simons to start the 2nd half of the Hawks game in place of CJ, my assumption is he will do the same to start this game. Just a guess, of course. Maybe Stotts feel like Simons play more similarly to CJ, stylistically, and so he feels more comfortable with that. I don't know.

If Stotts is playing Ant over Trent at SG, he should be fired immediately. End of story.

 

[Lanny]

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
7 - 6
(5-2 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
8 - 5
(4-3 Home)

_____________________________
---------POSSIBLE STARTERS---------

PG

DEJOUNTE MURRAY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

LONNIE WALKER IV VS ANFERNEE SIMONS

SF

KELDON JOHNSON VS DERRICK JONES Jr.

PF

DeMAR DeROZAN VS ROBERT COVINGTON

C

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS ENES KANTER

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

- - -

--------------------------------------------------------------


WHEN: 12:00 PM (PST), MONDAY, 1/18/2021

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

-----------------------------------------------------------------



--------------BENCH--------------

MILLS , JONES , VASSELL

BATES-DIOP , GAY , LYLES

EUBANKS , SAMANIC , POELTL



---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

TRENT Jr. , BLEVINS

ELLEBY , HOOD , LITTLE

ANTHONY , GILES




INJURIES
SPURS
Luka Samanic (sore throat): QUESTIONABLE
Keita Bates-Diop (upper respiratory infection): OUT
Drew Eubanks (health and safety protocols): OUT
Quinndary Weatherspoon (left knee surgery): OUT
Derrick White (left toe fracture): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
C.J. McCollum (left foot sprain): DOUBTFUL
CJ Elleby (left foot strain): QUESTIONABLE
Jusuf Nurkic (broken right wrist): OUT
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

GREG POPOVICH --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL SPURS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

​

Oh no, was CJ's injury severe enough to keep him out of this game?

 

[Lanny]

2020-21 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
7 - 6
(5-2 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
8 - 5
(4-3 Home)

_____________________________
---------POSSIBLE STARTERS---------

PG

DEJOUNTE MURRAY VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

LONNIE WALKER IV VS ANFERNEE SIMONS

SF

KELDON JOHNSON VS DERRICK JONES Jr.

PF

DeMAR DeROZAN VS ROBERT COVINGTON

C

LaMARCUS ALDRIDGE VS ENES KANTER

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

- - -

--------------------------------------------------------------


WHEN: 12:00 PM (PST), MONDAY, 1/18/2021

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

-----------------------------------------------------------------



--------------BENCH--------------

MILLS , JONES , VASSELL

BATES-DIOP , GAY , LYLES

EUBANKS , SAMANIC , POELTL



---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

TRENT Jr. , BLEVINS

ELLEBY , HOOD , LITTLE

ANTHONY , GILES




INJURIES
SPURS
Luka Samanic (sore throat): QUESTIONABLE
Keita Bates-Diop (upper respiratory infection): OUT
Drew Eubanks (health and safety protocols): OUT
Quinndary Weatherspoon (left knee surgery): OUT
Derrick White (left toe fracture): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
C.J. McCollum (left foot sprain): DOUBTFUL
CJ Elleby (left foot strain): QUESTIONABLE
Jusuf Nurkic (broken right wrist): OUT
Zach Collins (left ankle stress fracture): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

GREG POPOVICH --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL SPURS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

​

I noticed something amusing, Aldridge hates playing center. I guess the will of Popovich is stronger than that of Aldridge.

 

[kjironman1]

Spurs have been playing well on the road. This is not going to be an easy game.
These guys just beat both the Lakers and the Clippers. They can play.

 

[twobullz]

I know the coaches don't listen to me, but man it should not be Ant starting. He should come in, with Hood and Melo to rest Dame for a couple minutes each half. Hood and Melo give them another ball handler so Ant doesn't have to do it all.

If CJ is out for a extended time and the Blazers decide to sign another PG. How long does the new player have to be in quarantine before they can practice and play?

 

[illmatic99]

I really would like them to introduce Nas into the playing rotation.

 

[kjironman1]

I really would like them to introduce Nas into the playing rotation.

Yeah it's time.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If you start Trent then maybe you start Melo as well. When CJ comes back then you go back to Covington. We need 3 shooters on the court and right now Covington is not a shooter.

 

[royo]

Serious q. Since Spurs aren't as great as they were not long ago, what will happen here? If Pop is so good and Stotts is so bad, SA should win this comfortably. What should be SA and Blazers plan for this game?
What I want to see is how Pop is starting and how is he reacting for our ISO and 3points.

 

[kjironman1]

Conspiracy theory #497....
Maybe CJ paid off someone to have his ankle stepped on yesterday because practice was scheduled during the Browns game?

 

[PHXBlazer1]

A less talented, but very well coached team..this game definitely worries me

 

[kjironman1]

A less talented, but very well coached team..this game definitely worries me

I agree probably less talented. I also agree they have a better coach no question. Yes this game should worry you.
They are not a bad team and they play very well on the road so far this season.

Blazers need to take this game seriously and find a way to win it.

 

[KingSpeed]

Hot take: Pop is a trash coach. Can’t win anything without Duncan. Had DeRozen and Aldridge on his team last season and couldn’t make playoffs.

 

[blazerkor]

If we concentrate on: A. Getting Dame going. B. A full team effort defensively. C. Getting Enes, DJJ and Giles a bunch of touches around the rim. D. Getting open threes for Gary, Melo, RoCo, Hoodie and even Ant when he has to be on the court. then we will win this game. This will take us really utilizing team defense concepts that aren't our norm and the movement off ball movement and ball movement on offense that we've all been calling. Maybe the crutch of having CJ's iso skills being taken away from Stotts will force him to make this adjustment that plays to the strengths of our roster.

 

[illmatic99]

CJ out tmrw. Let's see what you got, Ant

 

[THE HCP]

Curious how the Giles crew who’ve been asking for him to get more minutes felt he did last night. I liked his aggressive play. Not sure what he needed up with, but it was good to see him out there.

 

[TBpup]

Curious how the Giles crew who’ve been asking for him to get more minutes felt he did last night. I liked his aggressive play. Not sure what he needed up with, but it was good to see him out there.

Active, lost at times, several great passes, brought a lot of energy which was refreshing.

 

[Chris Craig]

Last MLK day Damian Lillard scored a career high 61 points

 

[Chris Craig]

Curious how the Giles crew who’ve been asking for him to get more minutes felt he did last night. I liked his aggressive play. Not sure what he needed up with, but it was good to see him out there.

He only played 11 minutes. Stotts is opting to play Carmelo at center. Its hurting Gile's confidence. He should be playing more minutes with Nurkic out.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Curious how the Giles crew who’ve been asking for him to get more minutes felt he did last night. I liked his aggressive play. Not sure what he needed up with, but it was good to see him out there.

I include myself in that group. I thought he looked much better than he did a few games ago. Closer to how he looked in the preseason.
I question if he has the mental part down yet. Not saying he doesn't have a high BB IQ, just that he needs more experience. Overall I thought it was a good start, but there will be some growing pains.

In my mind, we always need two types of centers in order to match up with everyone. He is certainly not a wide body that can take up space under the basket. But he is very mobile, and in theory, should be able to cover the centers who can shoot from the perimeter. (who have been killing us since Stotts arrived) He is a solid passer, he can handle the ball for his position, and he looks to have a decent outside shot. Unlike Nurk and Kanter, he has the ability to get to loose balls and long rebounds. And he is a quick leaper. He just needs to play smarter, which I think will come with more playing time. And he needs to stay away from moving screens. We just need him to protect the rim and grab rebounds for about 18-20 minutes a game.

 

[wizenheimer]

I guess the Oregonian can't afford proof readers and editors anymore:

 

[BigGameDamian]

CJ out tmrw. Let's see what you got, Ant

Probably a good thing his Browns lost.