Game #37: Portland Trailblazers 101 Toronto Raptors 99

[planetmars]

Despite all our injuries the one common denominator has been defense. We might not score or it will be ugly, but we sure can defend. Portland has the 11th best offense, but the 23rd best defense. I kind of like that. We can try to shut them down with our elite defense, while still putting enough points on the board to get the win.

Also Portland sucks on the road. They are 7-13 on the road.

[slaw]

Despite all our injuries the one common denominator has been defense. We might not score or it will be ugly, but we sure can defend. Portland has the 11th best offense, but the 23rd best defense. I kind of like that. We can try to shut them down with our elite defense, while still putting enough points on the board to get the win.

Also Portland sucks on the road. They are 7-13 on the road.

Blazers are really scuffling. I still try to watch some of their games (Blazers fan growing up) and it is not pretty. They miss Nurkic but they really miss the athleticism, size and effort they had at the forward position last season. One thing to watch tonight is their body language cause this is a team that doesn't play hard all the time and gives up on games and it is really noticeable.

[bertarapsfan]

Think Brisset would be a good fit as the mystery starter. He had some good minutes with the starters those games he got 4th quarter minutes. If not him then id prefer Thomas, Dont know if they want to throw him out there his first game back tho.

[golden]

Appears McCollum is on the limp as well.
Freddy is questionable to doubtful.

If CJ doesn’t go...Freddy probably won’t go either.

If CJ isn't playing, then we could probably start Thomas, but we won't.

[KeonClark]

The race for 8th in the West is pretty pathetic, for the first time I can ever remember. Blazers are 15-22 but only a game out. Right now, Spurs, Griz, Blazers and T Wolves, Suns and Kings are all within 2 games.

Kind of interesting, cause when you look at most of those teams they're kind of in the same boat. They have to be dissapointed (Spurs, Blazers, T Wolves, Suns, Kings) are either too talented, or not at a rebuilding stage to miss the playoffs, or are just plain sick of missing the playoffs.

Only the Griz are truly playing with house money and a little bit of a pleasant surprise/ ahead of schedule.

[slaw]

The race for 8th in the West is pretty pathetic, for the first time I can ever remember. Blazers are 15-22 but only a game out. Right now, Spurs, Griz, Blazers and T Wolves, Suns and Kings are all within 2 games.

Kind of interesting, cause when you look at most of those teams they're kind of in the same boat. They have to be dissapointed (Spurs, Blazers, T Wolves, Suns, Kings) are either too talented, or not at a rebuilding stage to miss the playoffs, or are just plain sick of missing the playoffs.

Wow. Since the end of the 03-04 season, Minny has made the playoffs once. Phoenix has not made the playoffs since the end of the 09-10 season. Kings have not made it since the end of the 05-06 season.

Even putting aside the title, doesn't sound so bad to be a Raps fan does it?

[KeonClark]

Wow. Since the end of the 03-04 season, Minny has made the playoffs once. Phoenix has not made the playoffs since the end of the 09-10 season. Kings have not made it since the end of the 05-06 season.

Even putting aside the title, doesn't sound so bad to be a Raps fan does it?

Each of those teams has drafted "their guy" (Fox, Booker, Towns, etc) already too, a few years ago. Those cores should be ready. And the 8th seed as I said is awful right now, it's RIGHT THERE for the taking, but each of these teams is refusing to take it. If it ends up with Pop and Demar, they should all be ashamed that they blew it that bad.

[slaw]

Each of those teams has drafted "their guy" (Fox, Booker, Towns, etc) already too, a few years ago. Those cores should be ready. And the 8th seed as I said is awful right now, it's RIGHT THERE for the taking, but each of these teams is refusing to take it. If it ends up with Pop and Demar, they should all be ashamed that they blew it that bad.

I just didn't realize that It was that bad in Sacramento and Minny. Embarrassing records of futility

[SkywalkerAC]

Good little test for our undermanned squad at home, as Portland isn't terrible. I think Thomas is back, and maybe Stanley chased off the 'yips' with his one game stint with the 905.

[bertarapsfan]

Fuck...

[Tmac2darak]

[007]

Fuck...

lol of fucking course he will

[bertarapsfan]

Non shooter filling in for FVV. Gotta hope McCaw can hit those corner 3s. He actually been pretty good at them lately

[golden]

Non shooter filling in for FVV. Gotta hope McCaw can hit those corner 3s. He actually been pretty good at them lately

Last 3 games, McCaw from 3: 1-2, 1-4, 0-1.

Grading on a curve? The expectations for McCaw are lower than rookie Bruno at this point, it seems.

[bertarapsfan]

Last 3 games, McCaw from 3: 1-2, 1-4, 0-1.

Grading on a curve? The expectations for McCaw are lower than rookie Bruno at this point, it seems.

10-22 on corner 3s. That seems to be the only spot he has been pretty reliable getting a bucket. We're going to need him to hit 2 or 3 of those tonight