Game Thread GAME# 5: BLAZERS @ HEAT - OCTOBER 27, 2018 - SATURDAY, 5:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

Nice thread.

 

Love the poll question. Talk about speculation!

Dragic always seems to give the Blazers fits and Olynyk is a PF who can shoot from the outside which seems to be something Stotts can't adjust to. Still, the Blazers should win this.

 

Sure would be nice to pick up our annual win in Miami!

 

They both just brought my bags up to my room. Dame makes em'! #Rooks

 

Nurk won't have to chase there center around perimeter because of Whiteside. I believe this will be closed game.

 

Of course D Wade always plays us like he is 10 years younger. That's dangerous because he thrives on the midrange, which is precisely what our defense is designed to give up. Hopefully he remembers his age.

 

Miami with 3 days off. Been home since Saturday night (Full week) I don't like that at all.

 

Went with Gary because i can pronounce the name.

 

Big deal! ANYBODY could make that.

 

I think we'll lose this game. Nurk had his way with Miami last season because Whiteside was out. I don't expect him to have a breakout game here.

At the same time though....we do have a better bench than we did last year. So I suppose a win is possible.

But I think Whiteside may win the paint battle against Nurk. If Wade shows up, that could be the deciding factor.

Go Blazers!

 

Wake up Rip City, it's Time to beat the Heat

 

I'll beat the meat if we beat the Heat !

 

Blazers vs Heat

Second game of the road trip and the Blazers have had a little fun in the sun i suppose. Hopefully they are doing the team stuff that brings teams closer during the year. They say road trips are where the teams gel. The Blazers have guys that have played together for as many as 4 or 5 years now and only added a few players so this team should have a pretty good feel on and off the court.

The Heat are not a bad team at all this year. They are a good defensive team with defensive rating of 102.8. They do not however score big points at 107.8 for an offensive rating. They are a very solid rebounding team. the best the Blazers have faced so far this year. DWade has made an impact off the bench. He comes in and does what he does. Still has the ability to change games for short periods. You have to give him his respect as he is still a very good player. Their leading scorer is Josh Richardson. he can get going and is bigger than CJ. If CJ cannot guard him they will have to get Harkless to take that challenge. It would be a mistake to put Jake on Richardson at this point.

Speaking of Harkless the word is they are starting to ease up on the minutes restriction. It's time the Blazers get this figured out. I agree with many on here that Jake needs to be on the second unit. My thinking is he will be more successful and will get to do more of what he does best. Slashing and getting some better looks with Stauskas and Curry. In my opinion there is little need to drag this out 20 games. Layman needs minutes and he needs experience but he isn't really helping enough at this point with the starting unit.

Nurk vs Whiteside might be interesting. Whiteside is averaging just over 13 points and 14 rebs a game. Nurk is actually averaging 17 and 11. I was a little shocked when i read those numbers on Nurk. He is making an impact and he is also throwing down dunks that he used to finger roll last year. If Nurkic continues at this pace this year nobody can complain. I think he has the ability to be effective against Whiteside. Hassan does not even attempt 3's so look for the Blazers to be able to pack the paint a bit and frustrate the Heat. But also look for them to work to get second chance points as Whiteside will be parked under the basket. If the Blazers choose to go small and pick up the pace with a perimeter game this could become very one sided. The thing is they have to make those threes. Collins very well could have a huge impact on this game.

Lets hope the Heat have a dude in the stands that wants to mouth off to Lillard. It's always nice to see Lillard and CJ have a good game. That is what teams need on the road. They need their best players to lead and have good games. The road is hard enough to win on. It's almost impossible if Lillard is off. Lillard needs to contain Dragic. We all know quick crafty PG's can be a problem.

I'm going with Aminu this game as my pick. If Aminu is hitting shots and making big plays this game goes in the win column.

Go Blazers
Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

It'll be a feat while I sit in my seat, hell, I'll cheat, to beat the Heat.

 

Nice treat.