Game Thread Game #47 - BLAZERS VS TIMBERWOLVES - JANUARY 25, 2022 - TUESDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

of the 2nd round.

 

For the poll question, I just think it's part of playing out the schedule. As far as this game, the way that both teams have been playing this is a pretty evenly matched game, especially with us at home.

 

Looks like Anthony Edwards won't be joining us:



Edit: Reports that it may not be serious, more of a knee on knee collision and bruising.

 

One of the better road trips in...years? With no Dame, Nance, Powell, Zeller? Maybe they aren't who we thought they were.....

 

More than likely we're seeing the results of Chauncey Billups getting out of this team what he's been aiming for.

 

Not sure where people are getting this "Best Road Trip in Years" thing?
Just last year they had multiple road trips that were better. 4-0 against Heat, Magic, Raptors and Pistons. Then 5-1 Pacers, Grizzlies, Nets, Celtics, Hawks (loss), Cavs.
Not taking anything away from the way the team is playing but 4-2 isn't all that special.

 

They literally won two of those games in spite of the mistakes Billups made? Lets not lose all perspective please. They lost a 26 points of a 30 point lead in the last game? Got to give credit they had a 30 point lead to begin with but not sure that is what he is aiming for?

 

Without the players they are missing.....when is the last time they did anything like that? #BiggerPicture

 

The first 4-0 road trip was without Nurk and CJ and playing Melo and Kanter. Are we really going to bring up injuries? Really?
"Sure seems like we play teams missing their best players" Nah. Lets not go there.

"Most Illogical" is right.

 

So minus Nurk/CJ is the same as minus Dame/Powell/Nance....okay. I'll just agree to disagree.

 

Kanter and Melo with an MVP Dame is a great offensive lineup. The problem with Kanter and Melo wasn't their ability to win a few road games in the middle of the season, they were actually great at that.

The problem was playoff teams that had time to prepare, game plan, and exploit their defensive shortcomings. They became worthless in competitive playoff series.

What this team has done last road trip without Dame, without other starters, and huge roles from Simons/NAS is very impressive.

 

Yeah i do see your point and this is mostly opinion based as i have no actual numbers to back any of it up. Just feels like people didn't expect it at all and were pretty much on the tank train. Makes that 4-2 seem like it's something more special. Raptors were at full strength but they are really only a 500 team(with no fans). The Wiz are also pretty much a 500 team. The Heat lost Butler early and they lost that one. Now the Boston win was notable to me. Obviously the Magic are not good.
I'm still skeptical. Billups needs more experience. The team seems to be playing better but they are not beating good teams.
All in all i'm happy to see improvement.

 

Not beating good teams? List of teams we’ve blown out:

Suns (by 29)
Grizzlies (healthy)
Clippers (with George)
Nuggets
Lakers (healthy)

We’ve also beaten the Grizzlies, Bulls and Nets in close games.

 

Sure, we're not beating good teams in this current stretch (though the Nets and kind of Boston are certainly not bad) - but previously we weren't beating ANY teams, so it's improvement.

 

Exactly. Going into this road trip, the team had 2 road wins so far. Much of that crap was before players were dealing with injuries that were keeping them out. Now, even a still decimated roster managed to double the win total in one road trip. That seems to be a good sign of growth and certainly better than the poor effort that was going on before. Sadly, some of those Dame/CJ/Powell/Cov/Nurk games were some of the most lackluster efforts I've seen in years.

This group has less talent, but is playing with more heart. #winning

 

Norm is back.

 

So, no minutes for CJ2 (fingers crossed).

 

Nas is like always on a injury report, that's not good long term