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The PERFECT matchup with nothing to lose...
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  1. Mike McClelland
    Mike McClelland
    Posts: 24

    Posted 04/16/2010 4:56 AM

    Congratulations Blazers. After drawing the WORST possible matchup last year against Houston, we end up with the best case scenario (all things considered) vs the Suns this year. While it's already been proven that a Roy-less, Oden-less, Pryzbilla-less Blazers can win in Phoenix this year, that's not to suggest the series will be easy. Position by position, Blazers do have a chance though. It's not a nightmare disadvantage in any given area (though Amare is always a problem). I could break it down more, but I'll do that in separate posts later.

    While these erratic, finesse-based, outside shooting teams could always prove me wrong on a given night, here's how I believe the series should roughly go-

    Game 1- Winner: Phoenix- hard fought and close until the end. Portland is simply outworked and outclassed when it matters most.

    Game 2- Winner: Portland- Blazers simply wear Phoenix down and make shots when they count. Portland has been better in 2nd games all season (especially on back-to-backs). Phoenix will be hard pressed to open 2-0 against a dangerous Blazers team.

    Game 3- Winner: Portland- starting to gain momentum, the Blazers ride the overwhelming crowd excitement and adrenaline to another hard fought (if slightly more comfortable) win.

    Game 4- Winner: Phoenix- while the Suns have had there struggles on the road this season, they've proven they CAN win big road games when they count (i.e.- Wednesday at Utah). With their backs against they wall, they'll fight harder and be more focused than ever.

    Game 5- Winner: Phoenix- once again, Suns reclaim their home court and momentum in what they now realize is a series they must take seriously.

    Game 6- Winner: Portland- but winning 3 in a row against Portland won't prove that simple. Especially not in our house.

    Game 7- Winner: Phoenix- let's be realistic. Game 7 is won by the home team nearly 80% of the time. Can the injury-decimated Blazers REALLY pull off such an upset in a game where both teams are giving 100%? That's a bit much to expect. Be happy if the Blazers make it this far.

    One way or another, I think this will be a much more interesting series than the media would like to expect. As much as Nash, Stoudamire and gang scare me, they WILL NOT sweep a Portland team that is not ready to die. We've fought adversity all season, and this may very well be the perfect series to test our team one more time. This may have been the season to forget, but this playoff series will not be.
  1. DeVinMzM
    DeVinMzM
    Posts: 19

    Posted 04/16/2010 11:14 AM

    Mike,
    Your predictions are probably quite reasonable, but as a true homer looking through Rose(Garden)colored glasses,I like to think if we steal one of the first two games in Phoenix, we can win the next two at home and take the series when we come back to Portland for game 6. Doesn't that sound better??
    Marlene

    I am a fan of showing heart and soul on the court.
  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6481

    Posted 04/16/2010 11:23 AM

    The series will come down to bench play. Can Marty, Rudy, Juwan, Dante, Bayless vs. Dragic, Frye, Dudley, and Barbosa.On paper, the Suns have the advantage and Dudley and Dragic killed us last time in Phoenix. Our starting lineups match up well, but we need our reserves to play with nothing to lose.
    I am a fan of
  1. blazer003
    blazer003
    Posts: 27

    Posted 04/16/2010 12:06 PM

    My predictions:
    Gm1 - Blazers
    Gm2 -Phx
    Gm3 -Phx
    Gm4 -Blazers
    Gm5- Blazers
    Gm6- Blazers
    I am a fan of Winning in the playoffs despite all odds.
  1. Bertram
    Bertram
    Posts: 803

    Posted 04/16/2010 12:58 PM

    Nice set of predictions Mike, very reasonable.

    I have 2 sets of predictions actually. This first one being what my basketball brain tells me:
    Gm1:Phx
    Gm2:Phx
    Gm3:Por
    Gm4:Por
    Gm5:Phx
    Gm6:Phx

    And here's what I thought initially..either as a fanatic or maybe my prediction will prove to be right...I hope so..:
    Gm1:Phx
    Gm2:Por
    Gm3:Por
    Gm4:Phx
    Gm5:Por
    Gm6:Por

    Either way, I don't think this will be a seven game series.
    I am a fan of B-Roy and LaMonster!
  1. mercyman25
    mercyman25
    Posts: 10

    Posted 04/16/2010 1:22 PM

    Kidding yourselves much?

    GM1 PHX
    GM2 PHX
    GM3 PDX
    GM4 PHX
    GM5 PHX

    SUNS IN 5
  1. biggest fan ever
    biggest fan ever
    Posts: 1

    Posted 04/16/2010 4:40 PM

    1.blazers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    2.blazers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    3.blazers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    4.blazers win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
      be realistic and mine is the most realistic lol but it is
  1. blazer003
    blazer003
    Posts: 27

    Posted 04/18/2010 11:26 AM

    Let's face it.  This entire season has been about winning when we shouldn't.  Winning when we didn't think we would.  I refuse, perhaps foolishly, to believe that will not continue.
    I am a fan of Winning in the playoffs despite all odds.
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