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Trail Blazers 100 @ Timberwolves 98 Game Thread
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6475

    Posted 02/04/2013 9:44 AM



    February 4th, 2013
    5:00 PM | Target Center | Minneapolis, MN
    Trail Blazers (24-23) At Timberwolves  (18-26)

    What To Watch For

    Contain Pevovic
    Portland is 2-0 this year against Minnesota, but that hasn't stopped Nikola Pevovic from making life miserable down low on the blocks for the Trail Blazers' bigs. Back on November 23rd, Pek dropped 18 points and 10 rebounds and followed that up with a monster 21 and 15 performance last month in Minneapolis. But handling a tough center shouldn't be new for Rip City as they just got done with a home-and-home against Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, and co. The winning formula? Double-down on the post, forcing their outside shooters to beat you from deep. Thankfully for Portland only one member of the Wolves shoots 35% or better from deep -- Derrick Williams (.353) -- and only three active players are connecting on upwards of 30% from distance -- JJ Barea (.349), Luke Ridnour (.331), Alexy Shved (.316).

    Back-To-Back Solid Bench Performances?
    It was a rare occasion but the Trail Blazer bench out-produced their counterparts in last Saturday's win over the Jazz as they scored 28 points off the bench to Utah's 25. Leading the way were Nolan Smith (13 points, 5-7 shooting, only 1 turnover) and Will Barton (7 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists). If Wesley Matthews is still unable to go (ankle), the onus once again is on the bench to produce, especially on the road where there's no Sixth Man to bring the energy. But the Wolves bench is coming off of their greatest outing of the year, scoring a ridiculous 66 points against the Hornets which saw them shoot lights out (29-44 from the field). With both teams likely missing starting players, this one will come down to which bench shows up.

    Trail Blazers At Timberwolves Highlights

    I am a fan of
  1. riverman
    riverman
    Posts: 1098

    Posted 02/04/2013 10:10 AM

    Be great to start this road trip with a win over a division rival! Hope the bench continues to show the kind of spark they showed last game!
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. BDawg
    BDawg
    Posts: 1455

    Posted 02/04/2013 10:48 AM

    "With both teams likely missing starting players, this game will come down to which bench shows up".  I don't need Vegas to tell me where to lay my money down.  Already short-handed, Pek will have Blazer bigs sitting due to foul trouble.  This one could get ugly in a hurry.  I will be much more accepting of a loss, provided effort was given than I will should fatigue related injury claim another starter and/or rotational player.  Ridiculously predictable and preventable, yet amazingly part of the present and likely, the future.  Inexcusable.

    I am a fan of players that play with PASSION and PRIDE
  1. hakanyilmaz
    hakanyilmaz
    Posts: 13

    Posted 02/04/2013 10:52 AM

    Ronnie Price and Wesley Mattheys go through pre-game warmups before deciding on playing or not. If they did not play, I'd expect something big by Claver and Nolan Smith. Especially from Nolan.
  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2224

    Posted 02/04/2013 11:23 AM

    I am a little worried about this match up, Pekovic can handle his own on the block and Derrick Williams and Kirelenko will pull either LA or JJ away from the block. Our defensive rotations have been very bad when doubling so things could get ugly fast if the TWolves marginal shooters can hit from the perimeter. 


    Another major obstacle will be Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour and JJ Barea, Lillard's defense is still miles behind where it needs to be and these three should be able to get into the lane at will. The team might need to take a zone defense approach and force the Wolves to win from the perimeter.

    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2224

    Posted 02/04/2013 7:03 PM

    Great shooting tonight but over 20 turnovers is a disgrace. I do not care how easily we beat the pathetic Wolves playing that sloppy is just wrong.

    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2224

    Posted 02/04/2013 7:15 PM

    LA nice fourth quarter defense 4 straight buckets to Dante Cunningham weak. 

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

    Posted 02/04/2013 8:26 PM

    Great to get a win here but giving up 40 4th qtr pts and being unable again to rest the starters with a big lead...never a good thing. LA made some clutch defensive plays to seal it but we set a season record for turnovers...28 of them.
    I am a fan of A team that plays like Tower of Power on a big stage on a good night
  1. BDawg
    BDawg
    Posts: 1455

    Posted 02/04/2013 8:31 PM

    Thought I was watching an all-star game tonight.  No defense until the final minute, and a close finish for the fans.  Almost unwatchable.  Agree with River, in that it was the two key defensive plays by Aldridge to end the game that sealed this one.  

    I am a fan of players that play with PASSION and PRIDE
  1. Blazer Fanatic
    Blazer Fanatic
    Posts: 483

    Posted 02/05/2013 4:37 AM

    Although Aldridge missed 2 free throws that could have iced the game, it's was his final go ahead bucket and 2 big defensive plays that finally shut the door on Minnesota.  Over the past 5 games, LA is averaging 21.8 PPG on 54.7 percent shooting, 11.6 RPG, 3.4 APG, and 1.6 BPG. Aldridge now has 26 double-doubles on the year and tied for 4th in the NBA.  He remains the only player in the NBA averaging 20 points and 9 rebound per game.
  1. Nuno
    Nuno
    Posts: 157

    Posted 02/05/2013 6:11 AM

    nice win... but 28 turnovers? scary... and mostly of the starters. Claver and Smith did a nice job last night...

    bench scored 20 against 50´s of twolves... if we didnt so much TO in the next games it would be good, since the bench finally is starting to help a bit !

  1. cmeese47
    cmeese47
    Posts: 2224

    Posted 02/05/2013 9:36 AM

    LA played good last night even though it was baffling watching Dante Cunningham of all people light him up. He limited his turnovers and even passed a little. 


    Batum really needs to rest he was a big liability after hurting his wrist again early on. 4 points 2 assists and 7 turnovers while posting a -23 +- with Matthews back hopefully Batum can heal up.

    I am a fan of Getting Defensive Players This Summer.
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