Game Thread Game #60 - BLAZERS VS WARRIORS - FEBRUARY 24, 2022 - THURSDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) TNT

This game will be an interesting gauge of just how good these new look Blazers are. If we can keep it competitive with the Warriors or somehow pull out a victory, then this team continues to look like a team poised to make a run at a playoff birth. If we get blown out, it doesn't necessarily negate what we saw in the four games leading up to the all star break but it will put a damper on the excitement the current win streak has caused.

 

Think Jay purposely tweeted at 2:20?

 

The Warriors have lost 4 of their last 5 games. 2 of the losses were at home, to Denver (last Wednesday on a buzzer-beater by Monte Morris from Jokic) and to the New York Knicks (by 2 points).
With 2:50 left in the game against Denver, the Nuggets were down 8 points, and intentionally fouled Kevon Looney. Looney missed both free throws. He was fouled intentionally again, and made both. With 1:18 left in the game, Jokic pushed into Looney intentionally, but it wasn't considered intentional since Looney was screening Jokic from the ball handler (smart play by Jokic). Looney missed both free throws.
Denver went on a 8-0 run until Steph Curry hit the 2nd-to-last shot of the game, a mid-range 2-pointer, with 5.9 seconds left in regulation. Curry was fouled on the shot, made the free throw, and put the Warriors ahead by 2, 116-114.
Denver then inbounded the ball to Jokic, who backed into the paint, then found Morris open for the 3-point shot, which he drained at the buzzer. Morris wasn't initially at the 3-point line, but was standing just to the right of the painted area, until there were 2.4 seconds on the clock. Nobody followed him to the 3-point line. While Otto Porter tried to guard two players, Morris and Aaron Gordon (who ran down right baseline and stopped under the hoop), Steph Curry was standing in the restricted area guarding nobody. At the exact moment Curry moved forward to get in front of Jokic, Jokic turned to face the hoop and flipped the ball straight to his right to a wide open Monte Morris. Steph at that point finally ran towards Morris, but it was too late. This was a horrible blunder by the Warriors defense. They were ahead by 2 points.
I hope Billups noticed the hack-a-Looney tactic employed by Denver. It was successful.
Something that really hurt Denver was the number of points off of turnovers Golden State had. I think it was 23 off of 18. It would be good to keep the turnovers down. The Blazers had 12 in Memphis.

 

Eubanks will play and backup Nurk according to Eubanks and Billups. Guessing that means Watford will play more four

 

Definitely can use more size against Denver on Sunday.
Their backup C is Boogie Cousins.

 

In their last two road games, the Warriors lost by 26 in Utah and 15 in LA to the Clippers. I think the Blazers winning by more than 10 is just as likely as the opposite. At least I think so.

 

Billups was also asked about Bledsoe getting backup point minutes and he said “hopefully, he’s still out” but then mentioned Williams right after that so I’m wondering if maybe he’ll get a chance to run with the second unit Thursday.

 

@Chris Craig nice job on Steve Kerr's picture.

I'm wondering if the Blazers got the memo yet about needing a draft pic? Or is it they got the memo and simply don't want to follow the directions of the fans on S2?

 

Need someone else to start in Elleby spot.

 

hopefully, Curry won't go 16-27 on three's

 

Great shooter but that number just doesn't seem great with the way he was guarded?

Well it would be really good for me at 24 hour fitness.

 

Tank Mode is back. Since we can’t lose, only way to tank is to rest the players.

 

So rest them after the All-Star break?

 

Sounds like Keon is gonna play as long as he recovers from practice. Seems like the staff is pretty high on Brandon Williams too, not sure he’s gonna play though. Doesn’t sound like they’re about to be trying to lose games either.

 

I like it. A "tank" with dignity. I can get on board with that.
Chauncey will keep pushing and the team will continue to gel and get better.
They are also establishing an identity. Hustle and Heart. Ball movement.
But, they will lose without Lillard, Nurk, and Nas.
Tanking, with dignity.
(because, after all, losing on purpose is insulting to all.)