Preview: Warriors @ Blazers Please only discuss the game from the Warrior's perspective. If you want to discuss it from the Blazer's POV go here: Link @ <font color="Red">Blazers: 17-23 (Won 1)</font> <font color="DarkOrange">Warriors: 17-25 (Lost 2)</font> <font color="Red">By Trail_Blazer 76</font> and <font color="DarkOrange">Rudeezy</font> When: Saturday, January 24th Where: Rose Garden Time: 3:30pm ET Probable Starters Damon Stoudamire/Speedy Claxton Derek Anderson/Jason Richardson Rasheed Wallace/Mike Dunleavy Jr. Zach Randolph/Clifford Robinson Vladimir Stepania/Erick Dampier Key Matchup Rasheed Wallace vs Mike Dunleavy Jr. Since the trade rumors "ended" Sheed has brought his A-game every night. With him out of the line-up the Blazers suffered, and regardless of Randolph's breakout this year the Blazers can't win if Sheed doesn't play well. Tonight there isn't a mismatch size-wise (they are the same weight, all Sheed has is two inches on Dunleavy) so Sheed will need to use his superior post game as a way of intimidated Dunleavy early in the game. Dunleavy is an excellent outside shooter, but doesn't have a scorer's mentality. With Van Exel being out on the IL, Dunleavy will need to pick up his scoring to help make up for Nick's explosiveness. There is no way that Dunleavy will be able to contain Sheed in the post, so he will need to find a way to force outside shooter, and prevent Sheed from establishing position. X-factors Ruben Patterson & Brian Cardinal Ruben Patterson may very well be given the assignment of guarding JRich. Although his fg% says otherwise, Richardson is a mediocre shooter. He is one of those players who only hits outside shots once he gets his confidence up by getting some dunks and lay-ups. Although Ruben has been giving us a lot of scoring lately, tonight we only need him for his defense. The loss of Nick means that JRich will be getting more touches. Tonight the Kobe-stopper will have to be the Jason-stopper. Brian Cardinal. He is still recovering from the flu and is trying to gain some of his lost weight back. This guy has been key for the Warriors all year and he must get back to that guy. <font color="Red"> The Trail to Victory</font> The Blazers won't have to do much to win this one. As I've said many times, the Blazers do best when there isn't a mismatch at pg. Stoudamire's inability to play defense wont matter in this game (as much), and he should be able to score more easily than normal. Both Randolph and Sheed should be able to score at will, and the Warrior's don't appear to have any offensive threats or mismatches tonight. <font color="DarkOrange">Winning the Battle</font> The Warriors will have their hands full in Portland. For the Warriors to have a chance, they must rebound rebound and rebound. 2nd chance shot opportunities will be key in this game. The Warriors have given up way too many offensive rebounds during their road losing streak. If Dampier continues his dominance in the paint and gets a little help on the boards, the Warriors will be in great shape. ***Prediction*** These teams have two things in common: both are excellent at home, and both are horrible on the road. Unfortunately for the Warriors this game is at the Rose Garden. Oh yeah, and Nick-the-quick won't be playing tonight. Blazers by 7.
I just found out that Dale Davis won't be starting tonight. Here's the link. Come on guys, let's get some more opinions from the Warriors standpoint.
Warriors only chance is to get a ton of second opportunites like they did agasint the clipps. The problem was that they gave up a ton of offensive boards themselves. With Stepania in the middle for Portalnd, I would say the Warriors have a chance if Dampier can take advantage... Warriors on the road, so I say they lose by 12
This one is tough I have to give the nod to the warriors, JRich is going off tonight and Dunleavy has been playing decent as of late. Miles plays 10-15 minutes today WArriors by 5
Wow, the Warriors just crushed the Blazers tonight. Very suprising. They end their 11 game road losing streak. Now the Lakers hold the current long road losing streak at 9 games...amazing. The Warriors led from start to finish. The Blazers never led in this one. Richardson and Dampier just dominanted this game. Dampier scored 18 points and grabbed 20 rebounds for his 4th 20 rebound game of the campaign. Richardson was an astonishing 7/7 from the 3 point line until his final attempt was blocked in the final seconds. He finished 7/8 from behind the arc and finished with 31 points. Great win for the W's.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TimFlem:</div><div class="quote_post">Great game Warriors it's nice to see some W's from you</div>Slow down partner...it was only one W.
Warriors won on the road? WOW, and in a blow out. Glad to see the Warriors steal one of the road, hopefully this can be a turn around for them.
Funny <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple N Gold:</div><div class="quote_post">Warriors won on the road? WOW, and in a blow out. Glad to see the Warriors steal one of the road, hopefully this can be a turn around for them.</div> Speaking of a steal, didn't Richardson give one to Rasheed Wallace after he clumsily lost the ball while dribbling out the clock? Funny as hell. But Richardson had an A-game with his 7 consecutive 3 pointers in a row.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">Speaking of a steal, didn't Richardson give one to Rasheed Wallace after he clumsily lost the ball while dribbling out the clock? Funny as hell. But Richardson had an A-game with his 7 consecutive 3 pointers in a row.</div>lol...that was funny. He gave it away and then got it back.
