Game Thread GAME# 9: NETS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 8, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Darkwebs]

2019-20 REGULAR SEASON RECORD
BROOKLYN NETS
3 - 4
(0-2 Road)
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
3 - 5
(0-2 Home)

______________________________
---------PROBABLE STARTERS---------

PG

KYRIE IRVING VS DAMIAN LILLARD

SG

CARIS LEVERT VS CJ McCOLLUM

SF

JOE HARRIS VS RODNEY HOOD

PF

TAUREAN PRINCE VS ANTHONY TOLLIVER

C

JARRETT ALLEN VS HASSAN WHITESIDE

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------- JERSEYS -------

---

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WHEN: 7:00 PM (PST), FRIDAY, 11/8/2019

WHERE: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV BROADCAST:

RADIO BROADCAST:

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--------------BENCH--------------

---- BROOKLYN NETS ----

DINWIDDIE , NWABA , PINSON

TEMPLE , LUWAWU-CABARROT

MUSA , KURUCS , ELLENSON

CLAXTON , JORDAN


---- PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS ----

SIMONS , BAZEMORE , TRENT Jr.

LITTLE , HEZONJA , HOARD

LABISSIERE , BROWN


INJURIES
NETS
DeAndre Jordan (sprained left ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Wilson Chandler (suspension): OUT
Kevin Durant (Achilles): OUT
TRAIL BLAZERS
Pau Gasol (left foot rehab): OUT
Jusuf Nurkic (left leg): OUT
Zach Collins (dislocated left shoulder): OUT



HEAD COACHES

- VS –

KENNY ATKINSON --- TERRY STOTTS



OFFICIAL NETS' GAME NOTES
OFFICIAL BLAZERS' GAME NOTES ​

• Friday’s game marks the first of two meetings between the Trail Blazers and the Nets during the 2019-20 season.

• LAST SEASON: Portland swept the season series against the Nets in 2018-19, 2-0.

• In two games against the Nets during the 2018-19 season, Damian Lillard averaged 22.0 points (29.4% FG, 24.0% 3-PT, 88.9% FT), 7.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.50 steals.

• CJ McCollum scored 21 points (9-19 FG, 1-6 3-PT, 2-2 FT) to go with six rebounds, five assists and two blocks in his lone game against the Nets last season.

• In two games against Portland with the Celtics during the 2018-19 season, Kyrie Irving averaged 26.0 points (46.5% FG, 29.4% 3-PT, 100% FT), 6.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists.

• In two games against the Trail Blazers last season, Caris LeVert averaged 14.0 points (47.4% FG, 50.0% 3-PT, 80.0% FT), 1.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.50 steals.

• HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY:
ALL TIME: Trail Blazers lead, 64-24
IN PORTLAND: Trail Blazers lead, 37-7
AT THE NETS: Trail Blazers lead, 27-17

​

 

[Darkwebs]

Ah, the classic tale of the unstoppable force versus the immovable object.
The road team is winless on the road; the home team is winless at home.
Who accidentally stumbles into a win first?

Blazers have had 2 heart-breaking losses in a row. If they get a third, will they win the jackpot?

Let's find out.

 

[B-Roy]

They should seriously think about starting Mario.

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

This is a must win game. We need to get back on the W table. The Next one is vs atlanta - Blazers can win both!

 

[Chris Craig]

Maybe the Blazers can win this one

 

[THE HCP]

I bet they TIE!

 

[B-Roy]

Watching Hassan play has really made me appreciate how nimble Nurkic is for a guy his size and especially weight.

 

[hoopsjock]

@TorturedBlazerFan, how can Little be your favorite bench player to watch when he isn't playing?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

@TorturedBlazerFan, how can Little be your favorite bench player to watch when he isn't playing?

Always exactly where he’s supposed to be.

 

[TBpup]

Who figured we would be 9 games into the season looking for our first Home win...

 

[Chris Craig]

Ah, the classic tale of the unstoppable force versus the immovable object.
The road team is winless on the road; the home team is winless at home.
Who accidentally stumbles into a win first?

Blazers have had 2 hear-breaking losses in a row. If they get a third, will they win the jackpot?

Let's find out.

Not good. When Portland plays a team looking for a "first win" it usually doesn't turn out well

 

[Scalma]

Not really as worried as some others seem to be. I wouldn’t have taken away anything from that warriors game had they won, so idk why I should take anything away from it after a loss. Every other game has been competitive. Team is banged up and has a bunch of new faces, so I can’t say any of this is surprising. I thought any win against a good team would be a bonus right now, and that was before Collins got hurt.

My impressions so far

- Dame has been Dame while CJ hogs the ball and is a liability defensively. Nothing new there.

- Simons is a legit scorer and shooter and an upgrade over Curry. I don’t know what CJ does that Simons can’t.

- Hezonja has impressed defensively. Guarded Kawhi about as well as you can last night. Wish Stotts would give him more freedom offensively. If he misses a couple shots early, don’t give up on him.

- Bazemore is better than Turner but idk how by how much. His shot selection...woof. Defensively he’s super aggressive but I wouldn’t say he’s much better than Turner on that end either.

- Whiteside plays when he wants to. Good thing we only have to deal with it for one season.

- Once Gasol gets healthy I expect to see him with the closing unit over Whiteside

- I think Little should get a look. We could use his energy, physicality, and rebounding.

But really we just need to stay afloat until Nurk gets back. Seeding doesn’t really even matter honestly because no team really scares me as long as we have Nurk. Olshey will also probably make a major trade at some point before the deadline, so it’s kinda premature to be evaluating how the team stacks up against everyone else.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Blazers have had 2 hear-breaking losses in a row

So that's why they don't communicate on defense, can't hear each other !

 

[SIeepwalker]

This one's a win. GUARANTEED

 

[illmatic99]

But really we just need to stay afloat until Nurk gets back. Seeding doesn’t really even matter honestly because no team really scares me as long as we have Nurk. Olshey will also probably make a major trade at some point before the deadline, so it’s kinda premature to be evaluating how the team stacks up against everyone else.

Not sure Nurk just automatically returns to where he was last year. These guys usually take a while to come back to elite level even after being fully healthy.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers better win this one and Sunday's. It is my birthday weekend. They don't win, I am going to be pissed.

 

[Chris Craig]

Not sure Nurk just automatically returns to where he was last year. These guys usually take a while to come back to elite level even after being fully healthy.

Hayward took a year once he was back to get to his old self

 

[James lamphear]

@TorturedBlazerFan, how can Little be your favorite bench player to watch when he isn't playing?

Maybe he looks good sitting or good cheerleader he is supporting the team.

 

[Scalma]

Not sure Nurk just automatically returns to where he was last year. These guys usually take a while to come back to elite level even after being fully healthy.

Hayward took a year once he was back to get to his old self

Hayward had a different, more serious injury along with ligament damage. Most guys you’re talking about, guy that take a year, are guys with ligament injuries. Nurk had a clean break. Once that bone is healed, it’s healed. There will be rust but I’m not expecting any lasting complications.

 

[kjironman1]

Okay Okay.... I'll put some effort out to watch tonight and right the ship!

 

[DDolla]

Winning Streak starts now:

Blazers - 122
Nets - 110

Dame 35points
CJ 30points

 

[THE HCP]

You can take away as much from the Clippers loss as you can from the Warriors loss.

 

[Reep]

Not sure Nurk just automatically returns to where he was last year. These guys usually take a while to come back to elite level even after being fully healthy.

This won't happen, but I really do with they would use this year to pump up minutes for Ant, Skal, Brown and anyone else they think might contribute next year. I'm not saying tank or completely give up, but in all likelihood they have a better chance next year if they ramp up development of their bench this year.

2020-21
Dame
CJ
Hood
Collins
Nurkic
Ant
Little
Skal
Hezonja

Could be a very nice rotation with experience. Of course it would be better if you swapped CJ for a better fit.

 

[illmatic99]

This won't happen, but I really do with they would use this year to pump up minutes for Ant, Skal, Brown and anyone else they think might contribute next year. I'm not saying tank or completely give up, but in all likelihood they have a better chance next year if they ramp up development of their bench this year.

2020-21
Dame
CJ
Hood
Collins
Nurkic
Ant
Little
Skal
Hezonja

Could be a very nice rotation with experience. Of course it would be better if you swapped CJ for a better fit.

Potentially wasting a year of Dame's prime is making me cringe. That too, when the west seems wide open? Freaking injuries man.

 

[Reep]

Potentially wasting a year of Dame's prime is making me cringe. That too, when the west seems wide open? Freaking injuries man.

I agree, but do you really think this team can compete in the playoffs with Collins and Nurk out for most of the season and coming back on rehab? I guess I don't see it. That could change if they decide to a big change for a 4/5 (Love, BG, etc.) that would give them more depth there.

 

[illmatic99]

I agree, but do you really think this team can compete in the playoffs with Collins and Nurk out for most of the season and coming back on rehab? I guess I don't see it. That could change if they decide to a big change for a 4/5 (Love, BG, etc.) that would give them more depth there.

It might be myopic, but I'd rather swing for a big move and keep Dame's window open in a year when other teams are still figuring it out and he's having his best year yet. Throwing in the towel to develop guys like Skal/Little seems futile to me. Do you see these dudes becoming stars?

Ant, I totally agree on getting more PT.

 

[B-Roy]

It might be myopic, but I'd rather swing for a big move and keep Dame's window open in a year when other teams are still figuring it out and he's having his best year yet. Throwing in the towel to develop guys like Skal/Little seems futile to me. Do you see these dudes becoming stars?

Ant, I totally agree on getting more PT.

Ant is the future. Part of me died a little when CJ signed that extension knowing we had ant on the sidelines. CJ taking 1/4th of our capspace for the next 5 years is going to bite us in the ass as far as teambuilding goes.

 

[Cugel]

Hassan has to have some help. I think Pau will never even lace up his shoes. It's clear that Skal is not strong enough to handle guys like Harrell. But he does set nice screens and his productivity when he gets the ball down low is solid.
What can they do? Moses??? Tolliver?? Little?? If they continue to lose give Nas some minutes.
I guess Tolliver will have to do for now. He is crafty with lots of experience.
This team shouldn't have such a bad record. Some good pieces are in place but there has been trouble with consistency on both ends. Portland does have shooters. This team needs more fight in it. I don't think motivation is a Stott's strong suit. He would never say what Malone did about his team (which was probably prompted by the douchebag antics aimed at Rubio)

 

[Reep]

It might be myopic, but I'd rather swing for a big move and keep Dame's window open in a year when other teams are still figuring it out and he's having his best year yet. Throwing in the towel to develop guys like Skal/Little seems futile to me. Do you see these dudes becoming stars?

Ant, I totally agree on getting more PT.

My premise was based on them not making a big trade. I have never really wavered from my dislike of the Dame/CJ back court, and my problem isn't with Dame. I would welcome a trade of CJ for a needle mover at the 3/4 position. Someone who could fit with Collins, Nurkic, or both.

Given Ant's showing and CJ's struggles, I think trading for Love, BG or someone like that that could be consider risky, is less "risky" than holding fast with the current lineup. I know there are defensive issues, but I would really like to see Love in the rotation with Nurkic and Collins. I think that offense would cause problems that very few teams could slow down.

 

[TBpup]

Ant is the future. Part of me died a little when CJ signed that extension knowing we had ant on the sidelines. CJ taking 1/4th of our capspace for the next 5 years is going to bite us in the ass as far as teambuilding goes.

So much this. If they honestly believed he was as good as they say he is and has the potential they have said he does, why give CJ that freaking much money?