Game Thread PLAYOFFS - ROUND 1, GAME 2: BLAZERS @ CLIPPERS - 4/20/16, WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), TNT & KGW

Rofl, this is great Dark! We are so lucky to have you making these sick assed game threads for us every game.

FAMS

 

I'm only counting it if I've watched more than a half.

 

Game two and the time is right for a win tonight. Lots and lots of talk about changing line ups. Inserting Kaman and moving Plumlee to guarding Griffin. More talk about what the Blazers got to do to create more offense. Creating offense has not been a problem all year but against the Clippers it can be a problem for this team. There is talk about Dame playing more off the ball with CJ doing a little more ball handling and having Plumlee playing more PF might open up his passing ability. The fact is the Blazers are in a tough match up. The basics problems are not going to go away without some creative adjustments. I have also heard people say to start Henderson and Crabbe? That to me seems a bit extreme?

Looking at years past Dame got looks when playing off the ball but the Blazers had more options and a guy named Nic Batum that could go for 8 assists with another 8-10 rebounds on those nights. Aminu just is not that kind of distributor though he does get rebounds. As a matter of fact he pulled in 12 in the first game. CJ had problems last game handling the ball on the dribble drive but i did not see him get the kind of screens needed to get open. Too many times he tried to split defenders. The box has him with 2 TO's but that didn't cover him almost losing the ball and getting forced into a bad shot. The fact remains even if they get more open looks the Blazers have got to make the open looks. They might even have to change the overall scheme and push into the mid range shot a bit more. There is a need for that Kaman 14 foot elbow jumper that can make a difference in this game.

Defensively the Blazers actually did not do badly in game one. Yes the end score was 115 for the Clippers but they gave them 25 points at the free throw line. I really don't like Hack-a- Anyone, anywhere at any time but i am sure we will see it again. Things that worked were making Paul shoot from distance as well as Crawford. But those two shot well from mid range and of course Paul was perfect at the line. Pressure defense and intensity levels have got to increase and the Blazers have got to realize this is the playoffs. There are not times to take a rest. 48 complete minutes of defense. This is called playoff experience. This is what those of us who said "Screw the draft pick" were talking about. The Blazer will need to grow tonight. They will need to see and understand what exerting their will is all about.
I personally don't want to see big wholesale changes just yet. I think that they played their first playoff game together in game one and there needs to be some things taken from it. I want Plumlee to make a few of those layups. Aminu to make a few 3's and Lillard to get a chance to shoot. We all know CJ will shoot better than 3-11. Turn up the defense and make some plays and we have a very good game. Small adjustments and add some more looks. This team can get a win tonight.
Go Blazers!
Kjironman is a fan!!!

 

When they do run the high PnR, Dame needs to come of of that harder and basically run into Jordan who is jumping out. It would be a foul every time but instead, both Dame and CJ try to go around it or back up. Force the action. Same with Plumlee when he goes to the hoop....go right at Jordan. Sure he is going to block some shots but trying to go around or away from him only enhances his shot-blocking ability.

Of course Aminu and Harkless will need to hit some shots and they need to find a way to defend Griffin better who is just too big for both of those guys. I know many aren't Vonleh fans but at least he has the strength and size to be able to compete with Blake if not the experience. Since Blake didn't have to shoot outside of 3', Noah wouldn't have to worry about that part.....just battle him down low. Kaman's size will help as well but more at Center. He's not quick enough to stay with Blake,

The Clippers are leaving Aminu wide open and Stotts as well as other point to him shooting 36% from '3'. However, he did not shoot nearly that well from where he was getting most of his shots in Game 1. He is much better from the corners and much worse at the top of the key where many of his attempts came from. The Blazers need to get him shots in the places he shoots a higher percentage.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/nba/post/_/id/18137/trail-blazers-need-to-get-back-to-being-themselves

 

Love how Dame can not only recognize, but articulate all this. Speaks to his BBIQ.

But stop revealing those strategies damnit. No need to reference plays with Blake/Mo/Maynor from years back. Some intern in the Clips' video room will dig those plays out and get their players and coaches somewhat ready to handle them.

 

I agree on Aminu shooting from the corners.
I have a problem with Lillard and CJ running into Jordan. This game is on their court. The refs listen to the Clippers. They will not give fouls to the Blazers. You are basically looking for the refs to bail them out. Not gonna happen. They need to make the extra pass and find an open shooter. I listened to Pop mic'ed up in the huddle last night screaming at his player to play the right way and make that extra pass to find open shooters. "Play the right way now! Do not wait until the second half! I don't care how well we did in the second half last game! Make the right pass NOW!" He said. Just doesn't get any better than that.

 

Excellent job again @Darkwebs

 

I don't think that's what he's saying at all. I think he's saying attack the hedge man. If you are not splitting the double team that is certainly who you should attack.

 

There is no answer for NO I haven't. Which is my answer. I haven't watched a game from any other series... yet.

 

To me it seems that Plumlee has continues to regress as a player rather than improve. He was outstanding at finishing his first year in the league, and now he's garbage. What is going on with him? He's very undersized as a center. He's one of the oddest players I've ever seen, in that he has great ball handling and passing skills coupled with basically 0 skill at shooting or scoring inside (aside from dunks).

I've been saying it all year, Mason is not the Blazers answer at center. He's a reserve.

 

I think Portland should start Ed Davis at center, because he's a much better finisher inside. Maybe even play Crabbe more so he can hit 3s rather than Aminu. Bring Mason off the bench as backup PF rather than Vonleh, and bring Kaman off bench as 2nd center. I'd also like to see Roberts and CJ running the point more with Damian playing off guard....just change it up.

 

You want Allen Crabbe or Harkless defending Griffin?

What

 

If Stotts deploys the Hack-a-Jordan strategy in the first half while Ed is in the game I'm gonna lose my shit.