Game Thread Game #59 - BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - FEBRUARY 16, 2022 - WEDNESDAY - 5:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

^ I think the defense and rebounding are sustainable. The excellent 3 pt shooting...not so much

 

Even if the Blazers lose in the playoffs it would be great experience for Simons, Hart, Nurk, and Winslow. The playin race and games would be great additional experience too. It often takes these young guys a couple times in the playoffs to be ready to make a deep run. Nurk's only playoff wins were the 1 games in the bubble and two last year, so he could use some moments in those pressure games as well.

 

Nurk in the playoffs
3 wins
13 losses
19 games missed injuries

Simons
2019 12 minutes
2020 82 minutes
2021 107 minutes

Winslow
2016 329 minutes
2018 125 minutes

Hart never been to the playoffs

 

We only shot 31% from 3 in win over Lakers.

 

So this likely means a win for New Orleans - BAD FOR US. If he's out tomorrow too, WORSE FOR US.

 

Chauncey’s Field Trip

 

"With great perspective, comes clearer realization."

 

Justise Winslow revenge game

 

Doesn't look like a likely win for New Orleans so far. Memphis's defense is making it tough for the Pels.

edit: Memphis has been ahead by as much as 20 points in the first half.

 

You cannot be serious...
A Memphis loss 'cos Ja is out??
Have you SEEEEEN this Memphis team?
Didn't they win 11 out of 13 w/o Ja, and some moronic Memphis fans were talking trading him?
When they get DBrooks back, fughettaboutit...

 

Don’t tell me we’re beating the Grizz too

 

I think they are are capable of beating the team that won in New Orleans tonight.
Memphis was physical on defense, fighting for all rebounds and loose balls and maybe getting away with some fouls that weren't called. They grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and had 10 steals. Tyus Jones scored repeatedly on short jump shots in the paint after his man was picked off. Besides Jones, Memphis's offense was not a thing of beauty, it didn't look what we've seen from the Blazers lately. The Pelicans offense didn't look very good either.
If the Blazers can keep Memphis off the offensive boards and re-direct Tyus Jones from the easy shots he was getting, they should have a good chance to win.

 

I know I'm gonna get killed for this because there's no way of knowing for sure either way but we definitely will have a lot better shot at it if Ja isn't playing... and I still won't know just how real this win streak is if we get another win with the opponent's all star sitting out. I really want to win this game and I really want Ja to be playing in it.

At this time, unless this is the start of a very possible 11 game losing streak, I just want us to make the playoffs so we can convey the pick to the Bulls and have all of our future picks free for us to trade. Without a huge losing streak, right fucking now, I don't think we'll get a pick that will matter as much as being able to trade future firsts would. If on March 9th we've lost seven straight I'll start being conflicted about the tank again but until then I really just wins, for that pick to convey to Chicago and for the Pelicans pick to be as high as possible up to the fifth.

Also we get to watch this team play basketball the right way and that's really fun.

 

I don't necessarily disagree with the philosopy. I just wanted to set the Laker win off to the side because the Lakers have lost 8 of their last 10, and one of those wins was against the Blazers. Lakers are one of the worst teams in the league right now and I would not call that a quality win. I also would not call the Knicks win a quality win. They have close to the same record at Portland, but have lost 6 of their last 7, 9 of their last 11, and 12 of their last 15. They suck right now, maybe worse than the Lakers.

The Bucks win was the only quality win of the three, IMO, even with Giannis not playing. I didn't hear the reason he didn't play...?

 

The Knicks are a 5 game winning streak from contending for home court in the east.
The East is really a clusterfuck, all bunched together.
The Laker game was a solid win because of how they did it..Our first glimpse of the new style with defense really winning the game.
Giannis has a ankle thing, resting for Philly on TNT Thursday.

 

The Milwaukee Bucks have gone 11 games without a quality win. They lost to Phoenix , Denver , and Cleveland in those 11 games (and Portland). Does that mean anything much?

 

So you hate when someone shortchanges a win and then go on the shortchange a win?

 

no it doesn't mean much, but they are the same team that went 16-7 in the playoffs and won a championship 7 months ago. They are 3rd seed in the east and that's with Holiday missing 13 games, Middleton 12 games, Giannis 11 games, and Portis 9 games. The current champions aren't gauged by 'quality wins' until the playoffs start

 

I don't understand why people are arguing that we need to have quality wins against the top playoff teams at full strength? Do @blazerkor and @wizenheimer actually think anyone is debating about the Blazers being a contender this year?

At the trade deadline I thought we had one of the worst rosters in the league. However we have often seen lesser talented teams give max effort and go on a good run for ~20 games. Teams also often win a lot of games at the end of the year when most teams aren't trying. If the Blazers are winning games against playoff teams even with a starter sitting out, and winning most games against horrible teams, and having one of the easiest schedules in the league; the Blazers will likely make the play in tournament.

 

I'm not arguing that. It's not my gauge for Portland. I was just debating what defined a quality win, and 2 wins, at home, over 2 teams that have combined for a 7-24 record over their last 31 games are not quality wins. That winning percentage would generate 18-19 wins over an 82 game season.