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Trail Blazers 83 Vs. Thunder 87 Game Thread
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6476

    Posted 01/11/2013 11:45 AM



    January 13th, 2013
    6:00 PM | Rose Garden | Portland, OR
    Trail Blazers (20-16) Vs. Thunder (28-8)

    What To Watch For

    Nicolas Batum
    In the only previous matchup between these two Northwest Division rivals, OKC prevailed, 106-92 largely in part to a 4th quarter run which blew open a tight game. Looking back, Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, JJ Hickson, and LaMarcus Aldridge all had great nights, but it was Nicolas Batum who couldn't get into rhythm. Batum shot just 1-11 from the floor for 3 points, had 2 assists and just 1 rebound in 36 minutes of action while his counterpart Kevin Durant went off for 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists. This will change Sunday night. This is a new Nicolas Batum who is playing a brilliant all-around game at the moment and not letting his shooting define his entire performance. Obviously there is no stopping Durant; you can only hope to contain him. But Nic's got to make KD work for his. Allowing KD 50% shooting won't do if the Trail Blazers are going to get win No. 10 in a row on the home floor. If Nic can make life tough for Durant on one end and fill the box scores like he's been doing lately, look for the Trail Blazers to get the bigtime W.

    Keep OKC Off The Line
    There's no secret, the Thunder live at the line. And when they get there, they make you pay, shooting a league-best .845 from the charity stripe. If the likes of Martin, Westbrook and Durant are hitting jumpers, so be it. But Portland can control who they foul and when. During November's contest, OKC shot 32 free-throws compared to Portland's 24. While the FT discrepancy wasn't large, the Trail Blazers did a great job of getting to the line, but that's not the point here. Point being, the Blazers must keep OKC under 20 attempts from the line. This means rebounding on both ends of the floor to negate fast breaks and offensive putbacks which often result in free throws. It also means playing aggressive but smart defense. Force OKC to shoot the jumper instead of playing too tightly and allowing their wings to get to the goal and the stripe.

    Trail Blazers Vs. Thunder Highlights

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  1. commontongue
    commontongue
    Posts: 1436

    Posted 01/11/2013 12:01 PM

    We've always played these guys tough, but as you mentioned about Batums lackluster night, everyone has to step up against these guys. If JJ has his customary double-double,the rest of our starters have to have a minimum of 18 points each to beat this Thunder team. Its starting to sound like a broken record but.... our bench has got to be able to either give us 20 or more points,or just not give up our lead or any easy points to these guys. And for the love of basketball someone get a hand up in Kevin Martins face or its going to be a long night. 
    I am a fan of Rip City Basketball
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1600

    Posted 01/12/2013 12:04 AM

    No Harden, no problem. GO BLAZERS!
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. Siccolo
    Siccolo
    Posts: 839

    Posted 01/12/2013 1:03 AM

    Were going to have to have good offense I think we can contain them because they are a jump shooting team...If we connect on our shots early we might have a chance.

    I am a fan of
  1. CarlJ1
    CarlJ1
    Posts: 398

    Posted 01/12/2013 1:31 AM

    It's redemption time for that game the Thunder stole from us, get off to a good start, play hard, play smart and let the chips fall where they may hopefully we have officials who know what goaltending is :)
    I am a fan of Respect, Loyalty, Honor & Pride the same thing the Blazer & their true fans are made of RIP CITY STAND UP!
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/12/2013 10:32 AM

    Hopefully we'll shoot the ball well to have a shot at a win against this team!
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1600

    Posted 01/12/2013 6:35 PM

    Posted By riverman on 01/12/2013 10:32 AM
    Hopefully we'll shoot the ball well to have a shot at a win against this team!

    After all them misses in last night's game, maybe we should do some reverse psychology?
    Short! Miss it! BRICK!!
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. knorton181
    knorton181
    Posts: 250

    Posted 01/13/2013 2:16 AM

    Can't wait. I town since two weeks ago. Finally get to go to a game, a great one, w my bro. So pumped
    I am a fan of
  1. DaBlazer
    DaBlazer
    Posts: 13

    Posted 01/13/2013 10:55 AM

    No Harden,Do we have a problem? You could say durant but,who cant Batum guard?
  1. Siccolo
    Siccolo
    Posts: 839

    Posted 01/13/2013 11:24 AM

    Lamarcus and Hickson will have to have big games but Perkins and Ibaka are great defenders....

    I am a fan of
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 01/13/2013 5:11 PM

    @mtokito: Serge Ibaka will not play tonight for OKC (chest contusion). Scott Brooks says Nic Collison will start in his place.
  1. Siccolo
    Siccolo
    Posts: 839

    Posted 01/13/2013 8:49 PM

    Dang we almost had it!! My heart was broken lol

    Still we held our own against the NBAs best team. We NEED to start shooting better. BIG game from Lamarcus

    Our offense has been just horrible past two games tho

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  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1600

    Posted 01/13/2013 9:51 PM

    I should not have tried reverse psychology.
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/13/2013 10:17 PM

    Heck of a game from LaMarcus! 6 bench pts isn't beating the Thunder anytime soon though. Bench killed the run that almost got us back in the game. Babbit has to make those shots.
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 01/13/2013 11:36 PM

    One starter carrying the team isn't going to cut it.  I agree that the bench didn't help, but the team can actually do something about shooting 0.27 FG%. 

     

    Made the game fun to watch them try and come back, but would have been a lot more fun if the rest of the team besides LA shot even 30%.

     

    Hickson missing at the rim and not getting a handle on the ball is sticking out like a sore thumb and painful to watch. 

     

    The team did OK with turnovers, but 12 is still too many when you look at the turnovers that were made.  They did a fairly good job on Westbrook, but the help defense was pretty bad.

  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2250

    Posted 01/14/2013 9:23 AM

    Wow the bench was terrible in this game. 6-17 was ugly from Nico but he needs to take shots so I do not mind it much. Everyone knew Durant was going to have a good game he is unguardable but with that terrible night Westbrook and Martin had and no Ibaka this is a game we should have had at home. 

    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 01/14/2013 9:39 AM

    Bricking layups is my least favorite thing to see in a game.
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. Siccolo
    Siccolo
    Posts: 839

    Posted 01/14/2013 4:20 PM

    Wes should have guarded Durant the whole game

    I am a fan of
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