Game Thread GAME# 59: BLAZERS @ CLIPPERS - MARCH 4, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM (PST), ESPN & CSNNW

Yes, agreed 100%. Short to Mid range and floater is the next step for him

 

I only caught highlights of this one. Was Dame guarding CP3 pretty much exclusively all night? Seems Stotts should throw some different looks at him and have Dame on Reddick when both are in the game.

 

I've always said that our success relies mainly on Batum. When he's invested like he was last night, I just don't see any team able to beat us. I want Batum this assertive every game!

 

Post of the year.

 

We'll solve that in a series. With Jordan doubling Lillard, shit should be open all over the court we just need to sucker them out and take advantage.

 

No way we should resign this guy.

Wait...what?

 

Well, he knew what was going on, and he got the call right and fixed the clock. Good for him.

 

He had that huge first quarter, that huge three to tie, three lobs for scores, the game saving swat, and the big three for the cherry on top. Oh, and a heaping helping of good defense on Chris Paul late in the game.

Batuuumm-shackalacka!

 

YOU BET!!! It's his overtime!...Nicolas Batum!...

I love how he walks off all businesslike without the 'look at me' pound their chest "show their heart" ego crap most guys show.

 

Hah! This just never gets old!!

 

You think Batum is purposely passing up points so he can "pad" his assists? I'll just say that I don't see it that way. I see a team player who isn't comfortable forcing up a shot he doesn't "feel" like he has a good chance of making, especially when he sees a teammate he believes has a better shot or a is in a better rhythm. What you seem to dislike about Batum is one of the MANY things I love about him.

 

BTW: A couple times Batum kicked the ball out when it appeared he may have a layup...perhaps because he saw Jordan waiting to stuff his shot. When he then kicks out to a jump shooter who is facing the basket with his feet set instead of inviting Jordan to pad his block numbers, I consider that a good play. It's then up to the shooter to make a basket, instead of squandering all of Batum's hard work getting him an open look.

 

As great as it was to win that game, it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence that this team can go the distance. Another "by the skin of our teeth" win. The Clips were short-handed and completely owned us for all of regulation before barely missing out on icing the game by stealing the cross-court pass that lead to Nic's 3-pointer that would send the game to OT.
Like last year all I can do is hope that Stotts is saving his adjustments for the Playoffs, because he's sure as shit not making them during the regular season.

 

There is just a cool confidence with this team, even when they're 10 down on the road against a solid opponent. I think that confidence stems from the comebacks in the playoffs last year. Nothing fazes the players.

And the execution in OTs is fantastic every time. For some reason, we aren't as crisp earlier in games, but every single player just gets into a state of heightened focus in OTs. While other teams crumble from the fatigue (both mental and physical), we execute with ridiculous precision. I think Stotts has a lot to do with this.

 

I actually think there is some truth to your comment about saving for the playoffs. As important as HCA is, all the teams are seriously stacked this season. It would be nice to have some aces up your sleeves to get a few gimmies.

Also, the playoffs are a completely different animal. When you have such talents, as we do, teams cannot play the same defense over and over again. Also, our shooters can't be bad every game either.

Not swayed...

 

I look at it just like our home loss to Memphis. We were short handed and definitely outplayed Memphis for most of the night, but couldn't close the deal.

 

Yes, teams can absolutely play the same defense over and over again if Terry doesn't have a counter move. So far he's shown very little ability to change the offense when teams double Lillard on the pick/pop. That's going to be a big problem in the POs. And when defenses ratchet up in the POs we'll have an even harder time finding open jump shots.
He'll also need to completely change the way our defense plays pick/rolls. Last year the Spurs picked us apart by shooting off of picks. Last night the Clippers did the same thing.

 

I went to the game and it looked like a carbon copy of the other Blazer-Clipper games I have gone to in the last couple years.
Blazers playing well until the 4th when the Clippers turned up the pressure and doubled Dame as he crossed half court. The Blazers went into a stretch where they did not get off a good shot and fell behind by 10. Then for some reason Doc stopped pressuring.......
It let the Blazers back in. He also made another dumb move by keeping Jordan in the game. His parade to the free throw line cooled his teammates as they went a few minutes without shooting.

The Blazers were over passing last night trying to force the ball into Kaman and LMA. Hell one time LMA drove to the baskett and tried passing it to Kaman. That was ugly. Batum finally woke the fuck up late in the game and attacked the basket.

Once again the Blazers played best with small ball. LA, Nic, Dame, Wes and AAA. Stotts got lucky not going to it earlier when the Clippers were killing us with their pressure.

Blazers need to play smarter. Too many stupid turnovers last night. But what a great comeback!

 

This was maybe the scrappiest win of the year in my view. We didn't win with offense, we won with defense. Our three best shooters all were cold and we beat a very good team on the road. I see nothing to bitch about here. These are the grind it out wins you need in a playoff series. I can't find a scapegoat to blame for the win, not that I'd try to look for one.

 

I agree. I was yelling at the TV the entire night about our bad pick/roll defense, and how they continually trap us and we don't adjust.

Those two things need to be addressed before we will even sniff a championship.