We're the better team, we have more depth, more overall talent, they have a slight edge in experience but most of that is years of experience at being pathetic losers and underachieving so I really don't see a problem as long as we approach it as just another road game and don't give them too much credit. If we get awed by the hype, we lose, but I think we're too mature for that. Boston's about to get embarrassed, IMO.
Shall we revisit your prediction of the first 20 games of the season again? Seems as though you like to sell this team short quite a bit.
It will be a hard game. We have to stop 2 of the big 3 I think. And I agree that we cannot let Rondo get hot like he did last night. Our 3 pointer has to drop too.
We have to close out on their perimeter shooters and make them take it inside against Greg and Joel. As long as we don't get in too much foul trouble they can be stopped.
Put the kool-aid down... it's making you say silly things you'll regret in the morning. I'm looking forward to this game.. mainly because of the great blazer community we have here on S2.. it'll make the results so much more fun to talk about
I just made a prediction based on how road heavy, and playoff heavy their opening quarter of the season was, IIRC I think I said they'd be 8-16. Part of that prediction was based on just how many rookies they were inserting into the lineup and just how bad of a road team they were last year. I don't claim to possess clairvoyant powers, so I had no idea they'd be able to gel as quickly as they did, or that we'd be getting so much production so soon out of Rudy, Batum and Greg. But let's be real here, most people around here had them pegged to go about 12-12 plus or minus a few wins or losses. Am I unhappy they've played so well? God no! This has been a great start to the season and they have far exceeded all rational expectations, but I also recognize that Boston is a truly elite team, the defending champs, playing on their own court, are on a ten game winning streak, and likely amped up to swat down an up and comer like Portland. Is that selling the team short? I think that's just being realistic.
the Celtics have some solid defenders on their club but I don't see Allen or Pierce as favorable matchups for them on Roy. I expect he'll be able to get anywhere on the floor he wants as per usual. If so, Portland's balanced attack should be able to run as usual as well... guys will be collapsing on Roy and he'll have shooters to kick it out to and the bigger/longer guys on the offensive boards collecting misses. The key matchup is LA-KG. I'm recalling the game in Boston last year where Aldridge was holding his own and then some. In the 2nd half KG really started chirping (as many have noted) but I also remember several ticky-tack/questionable fouls going against LaMarcus and the tide of the game turning with him on the bench. Frye is a wooden statue trying to guard Garnett. Travis is the actually the next best option and has had some success, but yeah... LA staying out of foul trouble is a real key to Portland's chances. I expect both teams to be really up for this game... I'm frothing at the mouth myself and it's a day and a half away STOMP
I think this game is going to be very close at the end - and it will come down to execution at the end of the game. On paper - you have to give Boston the edge - they are the champs for a reason and Pierce closes games very well - but we do have Roy and I think he has made a mental leap this year to believing he can score on anyone on any night. He might not do it this time on pretty much every possession as he has been doing this year - but he is going to score some. The thing that worries me is that Greg seems to be timid in first games against teams/people that he holds in great esteem. If it was our 2nd game against Boston - I would have liked it a lot more. Still, I hope that the constant trash-talking by KG will fire him enough to be aggressive even if this is the first time he plays the current NBA champs.
Comes down to Rudy and GO they are the difference makers. If these two have big games we have a good shot if not we lose. BTW- those of you that don't think Boston's experience is a big factor are being Homers. They have played in playoff games so they know how to ratchet it up. Don't think for a second this isn't a big game for them, they know our record and will want to make a point. The only player on our team that has remotely seen the intensity of a game like this is Rudy in the Olympics. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough!!!!!!!!
I fully expect Boston to get every 50-50 call from the refs. If it is close, Boston will get the call. I also expect KG to try to get chippy with one or all of our big three trying to intimidate them. At that point I would bring in Diogu for a little attitude adjustment time and if anything gets out of hand then he will not be much of a loss. The key is to deny players not named KG, Pierce or Allen from having big games. It would be great if we could hold them to 15 points each, but they will probably get 20 each. But don't let Perkins, Rondo and some other yahoo get 15+. Force their big three to have to play heavy minutes on those old legs. And do not commit stupid fouls early in the quarters. Portland has been getting into the penalty early lately giving too many free throws up. In the long run, if we keep with in 38 ponts of them then we will have done better than the Lakers did the last time they played in Boston! Seriously, with the way the Celtics whine trying to get vet calls the refs will unfortunately be the deciding factors to this game. No calls, missed calls, bad calls. I have no faith in NBA refs and for good reason, I have seen enough of these big games decided by them. I can't help but to expect it again. I hope we can over come it, but I expect a ton of homer calls.
The Blazers can completely win this game. We'll have a day to prepare, we're hungy, have confidence, and we've built up a lot of momentum. And I'm not delusional, Boston's going to be tough. The spotlight will be on our young guys. I wouldn't be surprised if Greg and Nic struggle offensively. Boston's going to go at them early on I bet. I'm pretty concerned about this. Perkins and Pierce are going to welcome our boys to the "big time". Ball movement and taking care of the ball will be critical for us as well. I don't see Boston stopping all of the different offensive weapons we have or being able to cause as many turnovers as they're used to. They'll probably want the ball out of Brandon's hands as much as possible, and in those instances, it'll be up to Steve, Sergio, and Rudy to penetrate or make the entry passes to our Lamarcus, Greg, or Joel for a high percentage shot. Once they double up on them, our bigs won't have any problem finding the open guys on the perimeter. We'll get our open shots. We always do. The question is will we make them? I'm guessing we won't make as many as we'd like, and this is where crashing the boards will be so important. We are the better offensive-rebounding team. This will be key for us. We'll be amped. Even Travis and Rudy will join our already awesome rebounders (Greg, Joel, Nic, and Brandon) in crashing the boards. Boston's going to be aware of this, but they won't be able to stop our guys and we will have this as a major advantage. So even if we're not hitting our shots, I think we'll be able to stay close enough to be there at the end. Guys like Sergio, Rudy, and Nic will need to establish themselves and be able to play their games. They can get us the easy buckets we'll need to walk in there and build a bit of lead or at least stay close. The other thing they'll do is tire out Ray, and possibly Paul, with constant movement. This is going to be necessary. But if they can't hang in the half-court settings (both offensively and defensively), then Nate will have to look to Steve, Brandon, and Travis to shoulder more of the load and we will lose. I truly think Portland can win. I guess we'll know tomorrow night how ready this team is. I think they're ready.
Actually it is quite simple. Go inside, and inside, and inside, and then go inside some more. With our bigs, if they are successful inside, a large part of Bostons team will eventually be in foul trouble.
Our bigs are probably the deepest part of our team. KG is KG, Perk's a solid, solid starter, Powe brings a lot off the bench, namely rebounding, defense, and garbage buckets, Davis is a little height challenged but can also grab rebounds and score. Should an emergency occur, Scal and PO'B can come in and at least do an adequate job.
My good friend who also posts here and is a Lakers fan lived next to Leon Powe in college at Cal. They partied sometimes on the weekends so when the draft came around we all rooted for Powe. We all hoped he would succeed and kept an eye on his stats....Then he goes and does what he does in the finals to the Lakers....Fuck Leon Powe!
I think the home court will play a huge part in this, but not because of their fans, but because of the refs. Boston gets an insane amount of calls (even verse the Lakers amazingly, who get the 2nd most amount of calls in the nba) and when they are at home its even worse. If its a well officiated game, I think we have a shot. some keys I think are not to be intimidated and keep your composure throughout, which means keeping our turnovers low. I think we need to have our 3s fall, and our bench has to play well, because they rest Pierce, Allen and KG a lot, kinda like how we rest our guys except not quite as much, I think our bench can really take adv. of that when both 2nd units are on the floor, and make it easier for our starters. We also need to make sure the game is withing 8 points halfway through the fourth quarter, and I like our chances with "The Natural" on our team. We also need to continue to play good D, as we have been doing since Greg has been back and Joel has been able to go to the bench, so we can have that D anchor in at all times. So to sum it all up, I think the keys to the game, from my perspective are... 1. Composure (low turnovers are a part of this) 2. Make your 3 point shots, but don't fall too in love with it 3. Bench play 4. Keep it close (within 8 preferably) at least halfway through the 4th QTR 5. Good, energetic D... no more of this tired, lethargic BS Wildcard = Refs. If there is any player I want to see have their best game of the year tomarrow night, its Gregory. I would love for him to go off for another 20+point and 10+rebound game on national TV. Perkins is a very solid defender, and they play amazing team defense, which isn't good for Greg because they will probably have some sort of double team which equals a lot of turnovers for Greg. Greg really needs to keep the ball high, hold it strong, not gather himself so slowly, and get much deeper position so he doesn't have to try and back a player down so long and either turn it over by traveling, gettin' stripped, or an offensive foul. Go Blazers!
KG's going to regret all the shit he's pulled over the past few years. Guys like Brandon, LaMarcus, and Channing are all grown up now. They may not win this game, but it'll be a dog fight, and I predict KG's bitchy and waterdowned smack to be thrust back in his face. LaMarcus and Channing (especially Channing) are going to be very physical I predict. I can't wait.
