Game Thread GAME# 60: BLAZERS @ CAVALIERS - FEBRUARY 25, 2019 - MONDAY, 4:00 PM, NBCSNW

So is this a sure bet?

 

wacky game, although pretty predictable 2nd half performance after unreal 1st half. NBA scales have to be balanced apparently

4 or 5 consecutive possessions by Dame ended the Cavs comeback. Blazers lived by the three in this game, so I'd expect them to die by the three in a game pretty soon.

 

Lousy 3rd quarter but good win. We’re not always going to play well.

 

I like the Blazers chances on these games. A number reasons. They are playing each team with rest. They are also showing new looks on every night. Tonight we got to see Collins in with the second unit and it looked a little awkward at first but i think it's another wrinkle to use. We are seeing Harkless play well and he does make a difference for this team. Stotts is working on different looks and this team is hard to scout right now. I'm gonna go with 1-1 with a win in Boston and a strong game in Toronto. Toronto is always a tough place to win but it can be done.

 

I love being wrong just as long it’s a W for the Blazers.

 

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I think the Blazers lose to the Celtics and beat Toronto, dont know why just a gut feeling.

 

Yeah it was way too easy in the first half. That always worries me, easy not to get over confident, and let up. And once that happens it is hard to turn it back on. Not that the Blazers are on a big winning streak, but this is the type of game where winning streaks end to good teams. Way up, scoring at will, and then a let down. Luckily Dame and CJ were able to hold refocus.

 

I hope so, but Id be happy woth the road trip as long as it ends with a winning record.

 

Hopefully they play well both games and have a chance to win at the end. That is the key on the road against good teams.

 

If Sexton could have hit any of the COMPLETELY wide-open shots he kept getting in the 3rd, the Blazers could have really been in trouble. And if Harkless/Aminu were in there for their 'defense', Osman certainly wasn't bothered by it in the least.

Something else I've noticed of late. Either Blazer teammates, Stotts or both seem to have forgotten that Jake is a very efficient shooter. He got 5 shots tonight, one of which he got with the buzzer sounding at the end of the 1st quarter. The rest of the game, he was 3-4.....that's it? 4 shots for a guy who has shot well all season? He when he hits a couple can get boiling hot instantly?

I get it if someone else one of the other wings is having a great game but none of them were and defensively, they got torched in the 3rd. 16 minutes.... @BonesJones is likely 'SMH'.

 

Since I love being wrong too, Blazers are going to lose their last 22 games! I hope I'm wrong!

 

SMFH

 

Not disagreeing with the fact that Jake should get shots.
But CJ was on fire and he was taking shots as well as Curry making his also.

 

Nowhere did I come close to suggesting the shots should come from those two. However, as per usual, there were multiple times that he would make a cut, be wide open, and his teammates aren't finding him. Did they forget that quickly that he is really good at that and is often open on his cuts to the basket? Especially when they were having trouble scoring in the 3rd and Harkless was getting torched by Osman.

Just seems like he is suddenly not getting similar looks he was getting just a couple of weeks ago.

 

This is where people have problems with CJ. He has a night like this and all is well. But when he isn't making them and Jake only gets 5 or 6 shots it's tough to watch for sure.

 

Anytime I get upset that we let a team like Cleveland back in the game but actually win I'm fine after seeing teams like the Lakers losing back to back games to New Orleans and Memphis and the Spurs losing games in both New York and Brooklyn.

Counts as a W!

Maybe they needed a little reality check as it has been going pretty smoothly.

 

My take on Layman is he’s in classic Role/Bench and Young player mode. He’s an entirely different player at home then on the road. I think he’s getting minutes and opportunity to take shots he’s just not taking them. Also as much as I hate on ET he seems to play really well with ET in transition. Honestly in transition Turner might be there best passer.
Not trying to make excuses for Stotts or whomever, just think Jake owns some of it too, I think as he becomes a more seasoned NBA player he’ll be ok.