Trail Blazers 75 @ Pacers 92 Game Thread - I Am A Trail Blazers Fan - Message Boards - Team

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DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 03/12/2012 2:59 PM

Will Nolan Smith earn more playing time after his performance tonight?
Yes: 10 points, 3-3 shooting, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and only 1 turnover in 11 minutes (3)
75%
No: The other veteran guards give us a better chance to win (1)
25%

March 13, 2012
4 PM | Conseco Fieldhosue | Indianapolis, IN
Trail Blazers (20-21) At Pacers (25-17)

The halfway point of the road trip has the Trail Blazers in Indiana, ready to take on a Pacers squad that has been more sporadic than any team in the NBA. Currently, Indy is on a four-game losing streak but prior to that, they had won six in a row. To their credit, three of the four losses have came on the road and every one of their last four opponents are vying for home-court advantage in the East (Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta). On the other hand, Portland rebounded nicely after their dreadful outing in Boston by winning, 110-99, in DC, exacting revenge from the Valentine's Day loss earlier in the season.

For the Trail Blazers, Indiana provides quite a few matchup problems for them. For starters, All-Star center Roy Hibbert is a load down low. At 7-2, 260, Hibbert could be a nightmare for the Blazer bigs. Camby has the length while Joel has the toughness but neither possess the size and athleticism of Hibbert. This makes it that much more important for those two to say out of foul trouble. If Portland decides they want to send the double team at Roy, Indiana can knock down the three. Their 36% from downtown ranks them eleventh in the league and possess five players who can connect from distance at least 34%, led by Dahntay Jones (44%) and Paul George (41%).

The most intriguing matchup to watch will be Nicolas Batum vs. Paul George; both young, talented players with extremely high ceilings. I'm not sure why, but I get the feeling that whoever gets the better end of that battle will turn the tide in favor of their team. In March, Paul is putting up 15.4 points, on 45.3% shooting, 3.6 rebounds, and 2 assists. But the stat to watch for is steals. Through five games in March, George is straight thieving, averaging over 3 steals per game. Portland has been prone to lazy passing this season and if they get sloppy George won't hesitate to put out a highlight-reel slam. I'd like to see Nic deny him the ball and make life a living nightmare for him. Both players are relatively skinny for their height (George: 6-8, 215 | Batum: 6-8, 200), so whichever player plays the more physical game is the one who will win the matchup. Nico just talked about being the team that needs to throw the proverbial first punch, so here's his chance to back up those words with a little action. Go right at him, take it to the basket, and either get him in foul trouble or get in his head.

Trail Blazers at Pacers Highlights

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Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1604

Posted 03/12/2012 4:17 PM
Pacers leak oil and are unreliable, old Corolla's are way better.

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

jonthorpe
Posts: 125

Posted 03/12/2012 4:24 PM
I agree. I think Paul George could make a big difference in this game. I think if the blazers were to play Indiana back when they were 7-2, this would be a great game. Now looking at both teams, I fear it will be sloppy with Indiana coming ontop mostly because their scoring is better than ours, even during their losing streak they have looked better and been close to their opponents.

I am a fan of DEFENSE CREATES OFFENSE

ClydeFrog
Posts: 975

Posted 03/12/2012 8:54 PM
Yea, we picked the wrong time to play the Pacers. They return home after losing a few in a row and are hungry for a win. While we are fighting for the 8th seed, they want home-court advantage so they have more to play for. To me, this game will come down to who wants it more. both teams are rested. Both teams are equally talented. But what team will go all out for the win?

I am a fan of Watching Elliot Williams Take Flight!

cmeese47
Posts: 2418

Posted 03/13/2012 12:19 PM
I am worried about our ball control. If we turn the ball over vs the Pacers this game could end in a hurry. They are among on of the better teams in the NBA for FG% defense. Then again they shoot a little worse than they allow. So if Portland can avoid foul trouble and getting crushed from deep they should have a good shot.

I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.

cmeese47
Posts: 2418

Posted 03/13/2012 4:15 PM
Is this a bad omen with LA starting off with a missed 20 ft jumper

I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.

flyroy69
Posts: 63

Posted 03/13/2012 5:06 PM
AT work and just tuned into the game with less than 2min to go in first half and down by 18, I think it is definately looking to be a bad omen!

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

cmeese47
Posts: 2418

Posted 03/13/2012 6:15 PM
Disgusting

I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.

CarlJ1
Posts: 398

Posted 03/13/2012 6:40 PM
It would have been worst if we weren't 30 for 38 at the foul line, is every team we face on this road trip on a losing streak.

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

DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 03/13/2012 7:26 PM
How do you only manage 5 assists? I just don't get it. I mean, I know we shot the ball poorly, but you should get 5 dimes on fast breaks alone. Aldridge had 17, but again on 5-15 shooting and a lot of those shots were away from the paint. If we are to win, regardless of venue, we need Aldridge down low on the blocks the entire night. Yes, he's a great jump shooter but the offense flows much better when he's operating in the post.

As for Nolan, I thought his opening run was shaky but he rebounded nicely in the fourth and showed a lot of confidence in his shot. I mean, not a lot else has been working lately, so why not give Nolan more minutes to develop?

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barnettfan
Posts: 371

Posted 03/13/2012 7:30 PM
On the bright side we play the Bulls tomorrow!

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barnettfan
Posts: 371

Posted 03/13/2012 7:35 PM
My bad it is the Knicks.We play the Bulls on Friday. Hopefully we can at least get 35% shooting I am just not saying anymore.

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DHawes22
Posts: 6481

Posted 03/13/2012 8:03 PM
Post-Game Quotes:
Coach Nate McMillan on the game-

“You have to make shots and we didn’t make shots early in the game. I thought that started to affect us defensively. We shot pretty much 30 percent throughout out this game and they took control. Their bigs are very aggressive and I thought the first quarter we didn’t really score. I think we scored only 14 or 15 that quarter. Amundson came in and put up 21 off the bench. We knew they were a very good offensive rebounding team and I think Amundson was aggressive playing in the paint. We missed shots and shooting 30 percent from the floor makes it hard to win games.”
Wesley Matthews on whether the team had too much time off-

“(Did the team have too much time off?) I don’t think so. I think that’s starting to over-analyze things, whether you have too much time off or too little time off it doesn’t matter. You have to be ready to play. They played well tonight and we didn’t. (On bouncing back for Knicks game tomorrow) We got another one tomorrow night. That is the best thing about the NBA. You have to have a short memory, it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose. You move on to the next one. (On anybody giving up on their team) I don’t think we gave up. I don’t even focus on those words. That’s not even in my vocabulary. I don’t think anyone in this locker room is doing that.”
Nolan Smith on the first quarter setting the tone-

“(On the first quarter’s shooting problems setting a tone) It definitely did. The missing shots definitely hurt us. We obviously shot badly and we let that affect our defense. As a team you never let your offense affect defense. But we did and it just snowballed from there.”

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Tobyus Sanchezo
Posts: 1604

Posted 03/13/2012 9:07 PM
Blazers shooting an oversized ball tonight or what? That's when we could even get a shot up.

Dibble, dribble, fake screen, pass. Dribble dribble, pick up dribble, pass. Dribble, dribble 2 to shoot..huck, brick

I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three

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