Preview: Hornets at Blazers

Discussion in 'New Orleans Pelicans' started by starman85, Apr 2, 2004.

  1. starman85

    starman85 JBB JustBBall Member

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    Who: <font color="teal">New Orleans Hornets</font> and <font color="red">Portland Trailblazers</font>
    Where: Rose Garden, Portland, Oregon
    When: Saturday, April 3rd
    Time: 7 pm Pacific Time, 4 pm EST
    TV:FSNW

    <u>Records:</u>
    <font color="teal">Hornets (37-38, 4th in Central)</font>
    <font color="red">Blazers (39-36, 3rd in Pacific)</font>

    <u>Likely Starters</u>
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    <u>Key Matchups</u>
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    Both of these guys are catch and shoot guys who, when shooting hot, can really give their team a boost. Whoever shoots better could tip the scale for his respective team.

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    The point guard battle here will be crucial: whoever sets the tempo sets the game, and that could determine who goes home a winner and who doesn't. Stoudamire really likes a quick paced, run and gun offense, whereas Armstrong likes to slow it down and lock down his opponent with his exceptional defense.

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    Miles has shown in Portland what he was unable to show in either L.A. or Cleveland: regularity. He has been a consistent performer for the Blazers, but more important that that have been the few games where he has managed to break out of that regularity with an exceptional game. If Augmon (and Lynch) can control Miles and keep him going through the motions, the Blazers won't be able to spread the offense and New Orlean's long arms and quick hands will be able to take the game.
    <u>Keys to the Game</u>
    <font color="teal">Hornets</font>
    - Double up on Zach Randolph. When he and Theo Ratliffe are together on the frontline, you know that Ratliffe isn't gonna be putting up shots. Take advantage of the fact that the Blazers feel most comfortable with the ball in Randolph's hands down low and pressure him with double teams from Brown and Magloire.
    - Give P.J. the lion's share of the offense in the paint rather than Jamaal Magloire. There's no shame in this, but the simple fact that Ratliffe earns his bread defending in the low post, whereas Randolph is quite the softie on D. Take advantage of this by getting P.J. his shots where he wants them: baseline jumpers with a smattering of post-up moves down low.
    - Keep the pace of the game slow. The Blazers, now with Stoudamire, Anderson, Miles and Abdur-Rahim, love to get the ball into motion on the break and run their unsuspecting opponents into the ground. By keeping the game slower, they stagnate the Blazers energy and will be able to more effectively defend the game.
    <font color="red">Blazers</font>
    - Run the ball. Stoudamire is great at leading the break, and has finishers Anderson and Miles with Abdur-Rahim as a trailer. The Hornets' small guards can't effectively guard against the more athletic Blazers backcourt, and the Hornets' big men aren't athletic enough to get back.
    - Pound the ball in to Randolph and Abdur-Rahim, and try to get Theo Ratliffe near the basket when Randolph gets doubled.
    - Get Darius Miles going early. That is the best way to ensure that he gets into the game, which is essential for them to win the ball game.


    Starman's Prediction:
    I see a potentially lopsided game, though the Hornets could possibly make it close. If there guards get hot early, and Jamaal Magloire plays out of his mind, then the Hornets' stand a chance. Otherwise, they're looking at a pounding, and had better hope that this doesn't become the pattern for next year. They might be better than the Blazers when they have Davis and Mashburn, but not much better. And Portland is maybe the 10th best team in the West, so that doesn't bode well for the near future.

    The Hornets would like this game to beat off Milwaukee for home court advantage, but they don't need it. As long as Davis and Mash are healthy in the playoffs, they will beat the Bucks anywhere they play, and coaching and management know this. The Blazers, on the other hand, desperately need this game to stay in the playoff race. I'm hoping they lose so that Carmelo and Co. can get their playoff spot, but it won't happen. Blazers will have this game.

    Blazers by 9.
     
  2. Stockton

    Stockton JBB

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    Hornets win 94-81. Not many would of seen that coming considering that they were on the road and were without Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburm and Portland is in the race for the final Western Conference playoff spot. Magloire had 22 and 12, Darrell Armstrong had 15 assists and 15 points. The Hornets did well to stop a 4 game losing streak, and this wasn't one they should've won.
     

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