Game Thread GAME# 17: BLAZERS @ ROCKETS - JANUARY 28, 2021 - THURSDAY, 4:30, TNT

I'm hoping RoCo can go in this one, not just because he makes a huge difference on the defensive end but also because that will mean his concussion symptoms have cleared up and having those sucks. I think if we have RoCo and Hoodie available to play, with a Dame that will be pissed that he let that game get away from him, this might be the most winnable game on a road trip that really shouldn't be as bad as the two wins I predicted.

If RoCo is healthy we should be able to get Houston, Chicago, Charlotte and the same Knicks team we just beat. Don't get me wrong I did predict two wins so I am obviously open to the idea that we blow games that we should win like we did tonight against OKC but if we play like we can and RoCo is playing, we can take these four teams.

 

I was tempted to vote 0 wins because that would push Portland closer to some significant changes

 

This is gonna be painful for Charles Barkley to have to watch and see his $100K vanish before his eyes.

 

I wonder if this will affect/effect the outcome of the game for us?

 

If you are ever unsure if you should use effect or affect just write "impact". You'll never be wrong and you won't sound like an idiot. Well, not for that reason at lest.

 

Can there be a side Poll with what opposing player is going to get a season or career high against this defense?

 

with the defense we played last night against a team with maybe ONE above average offensive player on the roster, hard to see us winning too many on this trip.

terry stotts cannot coach defense. period.

 

Do i see 4 starters and 2 rotational players out with injuries right now?
Is this just an excuse or is it a real issue?
Is this Stotts's fault?
Who gets the credit if they go into Houston and win this game?

 

I think Hood, Jones and Covington will all be playing.

 

Outstanding advice. That is my new word.

 

I believe the combination of the lack of defense, and us having a ton of talent missing from our lineup will have a tremendous IMPACT on how this road trip will play out. Knowing this ahead of time, I will not get all worked up and pissed because as a human with a functioning brain, I should have seen said IMPACT coming.

 

Dame....because likely he will have willed the rest to the win. He will still be the best player on the floor on either side.

 

Well i have to admit there were those that blamed him for the loss yesterday.

 

Considering they had all these issues when those guys were healthy, and most of their issues arent personnel driven, no, having players out is not the cause, and shouldnt be used as an excuse.

The constant? Stotts.

 

Healthy Blazers have 27th ranked defense.
Blazers get hurt, have 29th ranked defense.

"Its the injuries!"

 

Well he was 6-20 until hitting two shots in the last five seconds - and right now, we can't survive 6-20 from Dame.