Game Thread GAME# 77: HEAT @ BLAZERS - APRIL 2, 2016 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), CSNNW

Still not over that Bosh shot few years ago. Every game is a revenge game against these fools.

Oh and Dragic. Our nightmare.

 

Heat play tonight in Sacramento so our game will be their second of a back to back, 3rd game in 4 nights, and final game of a west coast trip. Will they sit their starters? Either way this will be the easiest game we have left this season.

Not only do I think we get the 5th seed; I'm more curious with how many games left we clinch it.

Go Blazers!

 

Not anymore. Wade has killed that guy's effectiveness.

 

I think I will root for them to win tonight against the Kings. (In triple OT) I don't want them coming in to the Moda center Saturday trying to avoid getting swept on their 3 game western road trip. Losing to the Lakers and Kings would be brutal and only increase Wade's dramatic whining by about 300%. They are currently locked into a 3 way tie for 3rd (in the loss column) in the East. With Boston only 1 game back. It's a big game for them.

 

Don't underestimate them, they have very good options in every position and their best Center, Whiteside, is coming off the bench. Also Winslaw seems to be a very nice rookie. They're one of the better teams in the East, maybe as good as the Celtics, this isn't supposed to be an easy game

 

Our best center comes off the bench too.

 

Dude, you really need to control your man-crush on Baseball Pat!

 

fivethirtyeight.com gives us 69% odds at a win.

 

Wade took a nasty fall last game and isn't playing tonight and "probably" not tomorrow night.

 

The Heat are up 20 at Sacramento against a Boogie-less Kings. Wade not playing but that team might actually play better without D Wade. They can play up tempo more and the ball doesn't stick. That team is talented and deep, if anyone will unseat the Cavs in the East it will be them, too bad Bosh isn't healthy or they'd have a great chance. The Blazers should win because they're at home, but there is no way this one is a gimme.

 

This is very important due we play Golden state the next night. So the focus is on Miami tonight go Blazers.

 

If we don't hedge our small ball 4 on Drag if I will lose my shit because he also kills us from the midrange and because Deng isn't a good pick n roll option. It's a lot easier to hedge on a pick n pop because there's less distance to recover and it's a close out instead of a chase from behind. Hell, I say hedge Plumlee too and rotate underneath if need be (they aren't great shooters, plus Amare and Whiteside aren't known as good passing big men. Could rack up a few charges if the rotation is early enough.

The other option is give Dragic the wide open pullup jumpers that he loves.

 

Dwayne Wade (back, neck) walking like 'Frankenstein,' likely to miss 2nd game

 

Joe Johnson played 36 minutes last night, Luol Deng 34, Gerald Green 33. Three guys, Dragic, Winslow and Whiteside played 30 minutes. The Heat were up 20 against the Kings without tech suspended Cousins but the Kings fought back, it was a two point game at the end.

I'd expect they have significant fatigue and like our chances. This is the end of a 3 game in 4 night west coast road trip for them. They certainly are a capable team so we need to play well.

Go Blazers!

 

That is a huge understatement. Whiteside has 29 assists for the entire current season. For as much as he plays, that is unheard of.

 

could be a function of their offense

 

be a good game to watch Whiteside with his looming FA this summer

 

It's not

 

Another game I'll miss...this would be a huge victory if we could pull it off...Go Blazers!