I'm so fucking excited! And I'm not just talking about the Blazers. All the series in both conferences are gonna be fucking awesome. I'm so excited!!!!
Yep... I think Matthews is that guard that gets allay in foul trouble. I just don't see Afflalo doing that
I think Golden State is the best matchup for us actually. They can't guard Aldridge. We would win in 5 games. It's the Spurs that would be tough. I'm pulling for the 2 seed. We'll make quick work of the Mavericks.
I don't believe GS will be a cake walk. If their shot is on, they are impossible to beat. The refs would have to allow us to be physical in order for us to have a chance. They do allow teams to be more physical, but Kerr has found ways to allow them wide open shots. I think it's much harder than it looks.
If the Blazers don't rally and get home court in the first round against whomever, their chances are slim. That 5 game losing streak really killed them. This team needs to get hot in a hurry and best case would be 3rd seed with HCA, but with their recent history I'm not seeing it. A 4-5 matchup with the Clippers having HCA, you might as well not show up. The refs are gonna star power CP3 and Griffen right past the Blazers.
On paper it may look like a bad matchup but Aldridge is terrible against GS historically. Hes horrendous @ Oracle arena historically, and you're going to have to win a game in Oakland. He did have a solid game against GS earlier this year, in Portland, in a loss, back when the Blazers had Wes and were fully healthy (as were the Warriors).
He's had two 30/20 games against GS in the last 5 times he's played them, one of which was @ GS. Last year he averaged 22 pts, 13 reb, 2 assists, 1.3 blk and 2 steals in 3 games. Didn't shoot well from the field but got to the line more against GS than he did against practically any other team in the league. And this year he had 26/13 and shot 50% in the one game he's played against GS. GS is literally the last team I'd want to play but to say he's been "terrible" historically is a bit of a reach.
These next three games at home are the key. Should win easily (hah) against Denver and Phoenix, and then beating the Clippers would be gigantic, especially after they come off an expected loss to the Warriors. But LAC's schedule after that is a total cakewalk, with a "home and home" vs. the Lakers, Denver twice, and Memphis at home. Once again, that 5 game losing streak boned them hardcore.