Trail Blazers 92 At Lakers 103 Game Thread - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 02/19/2012 3:18 PM

Did Batum Hold His Own Against Kobe?
Yes - Batum scored 18, had 6 boards, 4 blocks & Kobe needed 26 shots for 28 points (4)
100%
Offensively Yes, Defensive No - It was Crash who had the most success playing Kobe (0)
0%

February 20, 2012
7:30 PM | Staples Center | Los Angeles, CA
Trail Blazers (17-15) @ Lakers (18-12)

The return of Aldridge and the re-emergence of Felton was just what the Doctor ordered as the Trail blazers finally got rid of that ugly four-game home losing streak, winning 97-77 over the Hawks who had previously defeated Portland six straight times. With the All-Star break in sight, the Trail Blazers head down to L.A. for the last road game of the first-half to battle the rival Lakers. This will be the second of three matchups between the two teams and first at Staples.

Portland already got the upper hand by continuing their home dominance over L.A. with their 107-96 victory back on January 5th. The win, at the time, pushed Portland atop the Western Conference but oh how much can change in 40 days. Right after that win, Portland headed down to the Valley of the Sun where they got lit up like a Christmas Tree, losing by well over 20 points, which was the first real sign of the road woes to come. But they got one monkey off their backs in the win at Golden State this past Wednesday, so why not pull another upset off?

Just how did the Blazers better the Lakers last month? Gerald Wallace is what happened. Crash scored 31 points on only 19 shots all while playing his patented disrupting defense. Aldridge chipped in 28 & 10 and Felton ran the show, getting his teammates involved to the tune of 10 assists while committing just one turnover. It didn't really even matter that he shot just 3-14 because everyone else was being spoon fed easy buckets. Crawford added in 17 off the bench. And the streaky Matthews shot 6-11 and 3-4 from 3 for 16 points. For Portland to win, it has got to take a TEAM effort. The Lakers are good, really good at home and it won't be a one-man show that picks up another road win for the Men in Black.

Keep an eye on Kobe Bryant, an even closer eye than usual. For one, it appears Nic will get the defensive assignment on him since he's starting at the two-guard. Will the length bother Kobe or will he use his strength to take Batum down low on the blocks? Wesley may not be as long but he's built like a tank and Bryant doesn't have much success posting Matthews up. And secondly, how many shots is he putting up? Sure he had 30 points on 24 shots last matchup, but he completely took the offensive over in the second-half when it wasn't the right call. Andrew Bynum was a force in the first-half, pouring in 14 of his 21 points and doing it with ease. But the ball stopped going inside to him, making life easier on the Blazer bigs. If Kobe tries to take this one over again, that's a great sign for Rip City.

Trail Blazers vs. Lakers Highlights

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freddead
Posts: 321

Posted 02/19/2012 3:53 PM
if batum keeps playin like he is we'll win

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flyroy69
Posts: 63

Posted 02/19/2012 3:56 PM
I have to agree with Dhawes on how much can change in 40 days. In La there semes to be a big change as far as the finicky fans go down there, with allegence seeming to shift to the now darling clippers, the same way Laker fans in Portland seem to now be wearing Miami jerseys. With Felton getting his game back, I believe we have a good chance to take a rare game in LA with Nick harassing Kobe, and the return of Lamarcus who's health should be improving every day. Going into the break with a three game win streak, would be a wonderful way to start the downhill side of the season, and moving toward the playoffs.

I am a fan of Summertime........when the livin is easy!

Virginia Blazer
Posts: 1

Posted 02/19/2012 7:42 PM
BEAT L.A! BEAT L.A

I am a fan of THE ASSOCIATION. THE BLAZERS ARE BACK!!

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1599

Posted 02/19/2012 10:03 PM
Lakers shoot way better at home this season. Take away the paint, rebound, and make them shoot contested shots. No fronting, no slow developing double teams. You can get out and run. Bynum and Gasol are slow to get back, and Kobe doesn't want to foul people. And quit heaving up so many 3 pointers, you know that LA will make us play on the crooked rim. Get their bigs in early foul trouble with strong drives to the basket.

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

CarlJ1
Posts: 398

Posted 02/19/2012 11:32 PM
The Blazers will have an angry Black Mamba on their hands after the Lakers lost to the Suns a team that Kobe hates, so expect Kobe to try and have a big game. Fastbreak points, Rebounding and Point in the paint are the three to keep an eye on we need to get fastbreak points and keep in striking distance with the rebounding and points in the paint. I say first to 90 wins the game.

I am a fan of Respect, Loyalty, Honor & Pride the same thing the Blazer & their true fans are made of RIP CITY STAND UP!

sealer legion
Posts: 63

Posted 02/19/2012 11:53 PM
I do believe Batum can guard Kobe...Batum is a great defensive player...I think if the Blazers want to win, they need to get rebounds (both defensive and offensive) and also don't have too many turnovers...

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stacksfan2005
Posts: 302

Posted 02/20/2012 7:12 AM
batum in the starting line up is key, hes going to be huge if he can get 10rebounds. with camby leaving his man for blocks we need the guards hitting the boards. kobe doesnt scare me, it's their front line. kobe is always going to get 30+ so bothering him and stopping the bigs is key. I'd like to see kurt thomas really get into bynum and gasols heads. especially with all the drama with gasol being trad rumored i think kurt is one of the best in the game with the mental stuff. id like to see nate use some rhino in place of LA rather than moving gerald down to the 4. id probably use jcross over nolan tonight at the back up point. i hope nate remembers though we have another big game tomorrow.

kenny c.
Posts: 412

Posted 02/20/2012 8:31 AM
I don't think the lakers can run with us for 48 min. if we choose to run. I think we should try to tire out their big's by our guards constantly going to the basket and getting them in foul trouble. I would really like to see the blazers punch the lakers in the mouth from the jump, just run it down their throats and never let up on the aggression. Lets get this win B!

I am a fan of Winning

bar24bis
Posts: 23

Posted 02/20/2012 4:04 PM
Horrible news for Greg. Thoughts and prayers go to him and his family. Maybe he and B-Roy can talk what if stories together now.

I am a fan of The NBA Championship in Portland ending with DL going Rip City!

postedbailblazers
Posts: 165

Posted 02/20/2012 4:31 PM
This will be a good contest. We have a shot but I will not hold this one against us if we can't pull it off. We'll compete. After the success against the Hawks, it seems like we are ready to get back on track. I love winning in LA but my prediction is Lakers win 97-89.

I am a fan of rhubarb pie.

riverman
Posts: 1098

Posted 02/20/2012 5:12 PM
This is a very important game to shake off the road woes. Road winning streak started in GS and hopefully continues here! Go Blazers!

I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night

D_pickett
Posts: 607

Posted 02/20/2012 5:52 PM
Just the fact that we're playing the Lakers might give us the mojo to pull out the road win. But the key is to get Wallace putting up home-like numbers and LaMarcus and Jamal combining for at least 18 in the 4th quarter so that Kobe can't take the game over.

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D_pickett
Posts: 607

Posted 02/20/2012 8:15 PM
I'm gonna puke.

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stacksfan2005
Posts: 302

Posted 02/20/2012 8:57 PM
most embarrassed i've ever been to be a blazers fan, nice guys. even the tnt announcers agree with this roster we should be battling okc for number 1

stacksfan2005
Posts: 302

Posted 02/20/2012 9:55 PM
i swear its like clock work now, dig ourselves a hole, expend all our energy to make a come back, let them end the game on a little run. go out the next day on a back to back tired. this team is pathetic. if no one gets a killer instinct im just going to flat quit watching the nba for a while. the blazers are still in lockout mode.

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 02/20/2012 10:40 PM
Two things cost us this W. One: Lack of intensity in the first quarter. You can't score 7 points on the road and expect to win. Two: Cold shooting from Aldridge. We don't have a good enough supporting cast to get it done against a team like the Lakers with LA shooting 6-19 from the floor.

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Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1599

Posted 02/20/2012 10:49 PM
Guys started attacking more as the game went on. In that first quarter, nobody wanted to get dirty. Lakers swallowed the paint and grabbed all the rebounds.

Jumper, jumper, jumper-jumper-jumper. Jumper, jumper, oh hey, Nic Batum got a rebound, and a lay-up!

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1599

Posted 02/20/2012 10:52 PM

Posted By D_pickett on 02/20/2012 8:15 PM

I'm gonna puke.

I myself even got a little light headed too partner, drink some water, relax, it's over now.

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

LMA Format
Posts: 5

Posted 02/21/2012 2:02 AM
I agree on those two things, DHawes. Although, I would add a third and a fourth. The third being us over passing on a number of possessions. These extra passes resulted in a handful of turnovers tonight. We were opting to not take open shots after successfully attacking the lane. You always hear about making the heralded extra pass when reversing the ball. The passes I'm speaking of were most definitely not those. The fourth is just defensive rebounding. Plain and simple. Aldridge is my favorite player and I have a ton of respect for the strides that he has made in his game, but he is going to have to make a more concerted effort on the glass in order to take the next step to being a superstar. He needs to find his man, get low, and deny his man positioning once the ball goes up. He's proven he has the ability.

All issues aside, we have a great opportunity to stifle the hottest team in the league tomorrow night in the rose garden, and head into the all star break with some affirming vibes going around. I think it will be nice for everyone to be able to take a step back (us fans included), as it seems like egos and team/personal expectations are beginning to bruise a little.

Lastly, I can't overstate how exciting it is to see Batum playing at the level that a lot of us have envisioned. He still seems to get phased out from time to time, but I'm confident that will be a thing of the past soon enough.

I am a fan of Vehicles, Needles, and Vacuums. I see you Olshey.

DHawes22
Posts: 6475

Posted 02/21/2012 10:26 AM
Good point LMA. We had the lead down to 12 or 10 on two occasions and both times with the ball we passed up WIDE OPEN shots to try and thread it to a teammate closer to the hoop. For that comeback to take place, we needed to play flawlessly those last 12 minutes of basketball.

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