Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 3: LAKERS @ BLAZERS - AUGUST 22, 2020 - SATURDAY, 5:30, ABC

This is a big game. Just like many in here and all over sports media predicted that the Lakers would come for blood in game two after we got there attention in game one they did. I think our team will show an amount of urgency and energy that has been lacking in the last two games because our attention has now been refocused by an ass kicking. I think our team had gotten used to every game being a win or go home game and the last two games and especially tonight they've felt relief at a time when they needed to feel like they were fighting for their lives more than ever. I expect a completely different Nurk for game three and going forward than we've seen over the last 7 quarters. I think our shooting will be much much sharper. I am hoping that we will finally get them off of our defensive glass for fucks sake. I don't think Dame's finger is going to inhibit him, I actually think tonight is going to ignite Dame and he'll likely either go for fifty in this upcoming game, dish out like fifteen dimes or do both. The last thing I am thinking about is something Dame alluded to in his post game interview. If we can actually execute our offense, their offense will bog down again. They looked good tonight because they got out in transition and made a lot of opportune second chance threes. If there isn't chaos in game three then I think we actually have the upper hand. We are still a nightmare match up for them and if we show focus and get half of a fair shake from the refs we will beat them.

 

Have to solve the traps and get the offense going. We might need to go small and put more shooting on the court. Need to increase the pace.

 

There doesn't seem to be a plan when any team has trapped Dame in the last 8 years. Oh, they will have a relief guy pop out, but then it's just wait to get the ball back to Dame rather than attacking a 4-on-3 with someone like AD 35' from the basket.

....and they HAVE to shoot better. When you are shooting under 40% for the series AND getting outrebounded, that doesn't seem like a recipe for success.

 

The solution was Dame shooting 40% from 35-40'. And getting Melo and GT into the lineup. And setting screens out further. That is why we were 8-2 prior to last night. Unfortunately, none of those solutions were effective last night, mostly because we were playing through the mud much of the night and let their aggression get us out of our rhythm.

What bugs me most is Terry's insistence on using the two big lineup even when they had ONLY AD on the floor. That lineup should've been scrapped after 4 mins in the first quarter, but he kept using it.

 

@SlyPokerDog @Strenuus
In all honesty, shouldn't THE HCP be allowed to take over the Game Threads creations like he used to. My winning % is FAR better than the DarkDuck guy. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I think the majority of the members here would obviously agree.

 

And as far as this game...... IF Dame plays, ya'll better plan on the Lakers swiped down to try and steal that ball from dame every time he brings it up the court. They are going to target that finger EVERY trip.

 

Create a poll FAMS!

 

White jerseys = win

 

Let’s see how this all plays out shall we.
You have a number one seed dead set on not losing this series. They have locker room video of Barkley sweeping the floor. They have clippings from just about every sports writer saying they are in trouble. They have THREE number one picks on their team.

The Blazers have an injured Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Melo. They also have two centers that can’t seem to grab a defensive rebound to save their life or make a layup. They are Starting a Rookie against the most Dominant Power Forward in the game.

I love the Blazers and I will never count Damian Lillard out. But this doesn’t look good at all.

 

You may be right! Anything but Red!

 

none of those 10 games saw the full-on 'stop Dame' defenses the Lakers went to last night. Now, the lakers weren't quite as aggressive as the previous 5 playoff opponents, but they also had Dame trying to start the offense 40' from the hoop. They were trapping him occasionally, but they were hedging him steadily. He was facing one tight defender and another defender hedging into driving and passing lanes

the list of things Portland can do to mitigate the effectiveness of Dame-denial defense is 5 years long, and as far as I can tell, the Blazers have tried it all...and none of it has worked

at some point, Blazer management has to realize they aren't going to be able to scheme their way out of this major flaw. They can't solve it by changing role players. They need another high level talent who is good enough to consistently score and tilt the offense toward efficiency. Somebody who can punish the dame-centric defenses they are sure to face, again and again. They don't have that

 

Dame needs to take a page out of Steph's book and start playing off ball.

 

We don’t have a Livingston/Draymond to play through though.