Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 1: THUNDER @ BLAZERS - APRIL 14, 2019, SUNDAY, 12:30 PM, ABC

39 points 1st Q then 15 points in 2nd, need to come out firing like 1st. Can’t let OKC hang around

 

1st QT we move the ball and got open shots plus Kanter made the pay for Double teaming Dame getting offensive boards and scoring. 2nd QT Dame and CJ doing want they do quit moving and take bad shots plus the turnover that Dame is terrible and plus he is missing open players when he getting double on the drives. Defense was good and the 2nd play well. They need get back the way they played in the 1st QT.

 

Dame’s resume includes two series wins without HCA and series winning buzzer beater.

 

More good news. Mo is playing awesome defense.

 

There are people that get frustrated with Turner and Meyers. There are people that get frustrated with Stotts.

What frustrates me is when we get big leads and then all of a sudden everyone starts playing hero ball and acting like their are extra points for degree of difficulty.

I don't want to hear from the announcers about OKC's great defense when our guys are taking turns going 1-on-5 while our other four players stand around watching.

 

What are they saying about us on ABC?

 

To me, it's inexplicable that they went completely away from the beautiful player and ball movement in the 1Q. That upsets me the most because there's no way Westbrook and George will continue to shoot like shit.

 

Yep. We have 6 blocks so far and we’re winning the hustle board.

 

Westbrook might.

 

Pretty much nothing. All Westbrook and George show.

 

They say turnovers and poor shot selection in the 2nd qtr are our problem....

 

It’s not just dame. Guys are dropping the ball, we are traveling under the rim, and taking some awful step backs. On the roll when grant rotates and we are close to the basket, it is one bump and finish over the top. He’s lanky but cannot take contact.

If we play with more composure, value the ball, and keep Westbrook out of transition, we will be okay.

 

We cut down on turnovers,we should be good

 

Not trying to pile on Dame but his passes have been terrible. At cutters feet, behind others, and one that sailed too high. I think he needs to take it strong to the rim instead of looking to pass when he has a step.

 

Once the refs started calling a lot of stuff (right or wrong) it slowed down the game, and that really helped OKC.

 

I am not saying Dame did not have a bad 2nd Q but like i said i think everyone contributed to it. If anything maybe the blame needs to fall on Stotts a little too maybe he should have used an extra TO to get the team to settle down / head back into the game who knows. What i will say is the 1st 6 min of this 3rd Q will tell me if the Blazers has righted the ship or was the 1st Q and mirage and in the 2nd Q they hit an iceberg and are now sinking. It is a very good thing PG cannot hit a shot to save his life cause if he was even a little better good chance the Blazers would be down now.

 

Okay Kanter.

 

Love Dame....but feel free to include the whole Playoff resume'. He has not shot well for quite some time in the Playoffs. He has to do better.

 

Okay.....no paint defense then.

 

OKC has the ugliest ads on their jerseys. Just hideous.