Game Thread GAME# 68: BLAZERS @ GRIZZLIES - MARCH 21, 2015 - SATURDAY, 5:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

One of many defining moments for this team tonight. I had this trip at 2-3 when i took into account schedule at the beginning of the year. If you would have told me the Blazers would be without Matthews, and Kaman would now be injured i would still have this as a loss. Last night was a head scratcher to say the least. It's kind of funny though? The Blazers actually play well against the Griz. They have played them well and lost all three games having a chance to win at the end. They even held leads in the double digit areas in the last game. In the second game this season Portland battled back from a 20+ point deficit to make the game close in Memphis. Of course the second game was also the second of a B2B after playing San Antonio and the Clippers all in 4 days. I really feel this game just like the others, both without key players Lopez and Aldridge respectively, will not be indicative of what these teams would do in a series. The sad fact is the Blazers are road weary and they might still be reeling a bit from the loss of Wes. There have been some comments about how well Afflalo is fitting in? In my book the guy is just 14 games with this team so far. 6 as a starter. I never like to pass judgement until i have seen 20 games. That is what i usually give the team at the beginning of the season. Give the guy 6 more games to get comfortable with who he is playing with.

Here is the good news. Memphis who just lost to the lowly Pistons (Yes even other good teams lose games against bad teams) just played last night in Dallas and had to get back home to take on our Blazers. B2B for them also. For the most part the "Tired" excuse might be on both teams.

The Grizzlies are not a 3 point juggernaut but the Blazers will still need to watch Green and now that Conley is back they do have a couple guys that can hit them. For some reason the Blazers have been getting torched lately but they are not uncontested shots. The 3 just seem to have been falling at a crazy rate. Blazers need to keep a hand in the face of the shooter and pressure guys off the line.

We all know what Z-Bo and Gasol are going to bring. The same as we know what Aldridge and Lopez will bring. What we don't know is what Batum will show up tonight? On a good night Nic should be able to match up with Green easily. On a bad night Green will look like a superstar? What's it gonna be Nic? Lazy passes and lackluster play or are you going to take it on yourself to make this a game?

Guard play will most definitely decide the winner of this game. You can point to Aldridge vs Randolph and Gasol vs Lopez all you want but the guards will make or break the game. 50/50 balls and assists with a few extra rebounds will be huge. Lillard has got to hit some of those open looks. He is not getting as many now but when he gets them they got to go. Controlling the pace will also be huge. Push these guys and make them run. Playing solid defense will help the offense.

This is a winnable game. Too many people have given up on them at this point and this is exactly when they need to pull it together. On any given night the Blazers can beat any team in the league. Remember that. Energy also has to come from the bench. Leonard, Freeland, CJ and Blake are going to have to produce if the Blazers are going to compete.

Pick tonight is Leonard. A big game from Meyers could tip the scales.

Sombody please tell Stotts Vince Carter is going to come in and try to light the Blazers up.

Go Blazers!

kjironman is a fan!!

 

I hope it's not another one of those games where we dig a hole, comeback and then choke the lead.

 

I'd love to be wrong, but I've got Memphis by 8+ tonight. They are the type of team that scraps and if we don't match their grittiness, it's going to be a long night. Time to see what our team's made of.

 

or it could be a good game to rest the starters. I see no way we win this game with the way things are now.

 

What are "the way things are now"? We've lost a few games but we're still a great team. It's not like the team is bickering or has stopped listening to the coach. We win those two games we were robbed of in Wash and Miami and we'd be playing for the 2 seed tonight. I believe in this team tonight. That's why I paid the money to be here.

 

Kaman out vs. the Grizzlies.

 

Freeland's chance. And we need more scoring from Meyers.

 

Chris Kaman officially out for tonight's game.
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...n_out_for_trail_blazers_game_against_mem.html

 

well to be specific, they are playing shit TEAM D, Dame looks tired..hell, E Payton drops a triple double on him and made him look like the rook..post game he states that things are fine? Cites the record..wtf,, where is the pride? Team focus to start games is non existent, and they look exhausted in the forth. This shows with the three pointers not going in, where they did in the first of the year. Passes look lazy and are often late...all in all, they look tired.

I see this team as an easy out in the first round for anyone.

 

All you look at are the losses. What about our 5 straight wins against West playoff teams?

 

How many wins were without Wes? I do love your enthusiasm King. We are going to have some damn tough sledding from here on out.

 

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