Game Thread GAME# 20: PACERS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 30, 2016 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), NBATV & CSNNW

Very important game to win as they're without Paul George. Our backcourt should be able to light theirs up.

 

But the Blazers don't play defense.

 

Uhhh okay? What does that have to do with me saying George is out and our backcourt should be able to score on theirs pretty easily?

 

Last ranked defense in the NBA. That's bad no matter whose out.

 

Not sure if everyone knows this , but Sling TV now streams NBA TV as part of their sports extra package for $5 more per month. PS Vue has a similar offering as well. After months of complaining about the lack of a streaming option for NBA TV, this is a good option.

Still annoying that NBA TV games are blacked out on League Pass though. Bogus deal with Turner.

 

Why is Paul George out? Do we know for certain that he's out? ESPN doesn't have anyone other than CJ Miles out...which is obviously wrong because Festus & Aminu.

 

18-0 Stotts, lol

 

From basketball.reference.com:

"George has been shut down for three games to rest a sore left ankle but could return Wednesday against the Trail Blazers."

Of course he'll return against us. Everyone does. They want their first game back to be an easy one against the league's worst defense.

BNM

 

Rotoworld: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nba/1731/paul-george

 

It's working! Teams are resting superstars against us now! The rope a dope brings another win tonight!

 

Hopefully, it will have the same result as Doc resting Blake against BRK last night.

BNM

 

Normally, I like to see us play teams at full strength, but with the way we are playing right now, this team should be grateful for any break they can get.

They say winning cures all, and this team needs a few wins to energize themselves (evidently, those huge contracts weren't sufficient motivation).

Both Stotts and Dame have said it's not about a lack of effort, but I disagree. Go back and watch that first quarter against CLE and look how ridiculously wide open Kevin Love was on all 8 of his made 3-pointers. Defenders were sagging off him and then made a token lunge in his general direction after he'd caught the ball and was already in his shooting motion. Nobody was busting their ass to cover him and nobody was fighting through screens. Same with Harden and HOU.

Lack of effort is a HUGE part of the problem on the defensive end. Hopefully, the guys won't let up even more because Paul George isn't playing. Hopefully, they will see it as a chance to seize a much needed win and will play like they want it for a change.

BNM

 

Didn't the Lakers just hold this team to something like 68 points....without Randle and Russell? Perhaps Portland can actually hold them under 100.

Too much to ask for?

 

I think this is Nate's debut return to Portland as a head coach if I'm not mistaken.....I expect him to play the oldest guys big minutes and not play any rookies...slow the game down to a snail pace and forget to call timeouts

 

And stand in silence on the sidelines with his arms crossed while we (hopefully) go on a big run.

BNM

 

But it won't be for lack of effort. I bet he holds the hot dog vendor scoreless.

BNM