Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 1: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - MAY 22, 2021 - SATURDAY, 7:30, ESPN

I don't know what you Blazer fans are worried about. The Blazers were so lucky that the Clippers were smart, or chicken shit enough (depending on your point of view) to tank to force a series with the Mavs, who are much weaker than the Blazers. This, of course, left the Blazers in a series against a Denver team missing two of its prime guards. So, just like in the regular season where the Blazers many times got to play teams with missing starters, they will continue their streak in the playoffs thanks to the gutless Clippers and get to dominate a team missing two prime players. Don't bother telling me how the Blazers missed CJ and Nurk for a lot of games. I already know that, but it occurred at times when it did not matter as much as now in the playoffs. You all won't get a real assessment of how good the Blazers are until they are in against the winner of the 2/7 series. For now, relax and save your worries for later in the playoffs, when you might need them more than now.

 

You mean like every other team in the NBA? The whole league either rests players or has injured players on a nightly basis.

 

I bet the Alfredo guy is a bit torn here. His two favorite teams going head to head.

 

This is quite the homer take. You think this should be an easy victory in a sweep or gentleman's sweep? You think that we present match up problems for them but their huge, extremely athletic forwards who can hit jumpers don't present match up problems for us?

Gordon will probably impact the game defensively as the second guy that blitzes Dame. I do think that you're right that we have the better talent on the front end of our roster but their roster is much deeper and fits together much better than ours.

I guess Saturday's game will tell us a lot. If we're just toying with them and run them out of the gym then you're probably right but if they beat us, we're in for a series and one that we might lose in 6 or 7 games.

 

This is not an even series. Murray out. Barton out, or not yet fully recovered. You Blazer fans should not worry at all. This is a depleted Nugget team that might as well go home before it even starts. The Blazers finally have a full squad. As I said earlier, don't conclude much from the win in round 1 because the more difficult test and better measuring stick will come in round 2.

 

I hate to get my hopes up too much but I honestly believe we’ll in 5 games.

 

This guy is right.

 

Looking ahead would be the worst thing for the players or coaches to do.

It's fine if fans want to, we don't have an impact on the outcome of the game.

 

Game is Saturday! SWEEET, i can watch it.

I'm flying thru there on Sunday early morning! Where's Kyrie when you need him?

 

That could work the other way round too.

 

to find success against a trap against Dame in a half court set, spacing will become imperative. Nurk or Kanter will have to have eyes in the back of their heads and there will need to be a ton of motion to the hoop (back cuts, etc.) - as enough lay-ins will put an end to traps on Dame. A motion offense, like Jack Ramsay employed in 1977, is why we won the Title.

 

Can’t wait for Playoff Powell

 

Pee in the corner!

 

No NBA playoffs game(s) thread with pictures?