Game 1 Rd 1 Portland vs OKC 12:30pm Sunday KATU

[DusterBuster]

I hope tomorrow doesn't go like today where 3 outta 4 lower seeds win..... Fml

[GreenRiddler]

I really hope our bench makes the difference in this series. If Hood and Curry can continue to contribute this well, Layman goes back to playing like he can and McCollum is 100% healthy we have a very good shot even without Nurk.

PG is not really 100% and he is the main reason they beat us 4 times VS us beating them 4 times last year. I just hope Collins is ready if we need defense at the 5 spot.

The Thunder rely heavily on Westbrook PG and Adams, it shows when PG got hurt and they barely stayed in the playoffs. Hopefully we take advantage of that. Man I am excited!

[Wizenheimer]

check out the boxscores and you'll notice that the 3 home teams that lost shot 12%, 33%, and 21% from three. Their opponents were much better. The one home team that won shot 47%

maybe the moral is in the playoffs when every possession counts, if you toss up a lot of bricks from deep, you can lose HCA right off the bat (last year in game 1 Blazers were 12-39)

* Ed Davis: 12 pts - 16 rebs - 2 asts in 25 minutes

* Clippers bench outscored the Warrior bench by 43 points; Clips lost game by 17

[DusterBuster]

check out the boxscores and you'll notice that the 3 home teams that lost shot 12%, 33%, and 21% from three. Their opponents were much better. The one home team that won shot 47%

maybe the moral is in the playoffs when every possession counts, if you toss up a lot of bricks from deep, you can lose HCA right off the bat (last year in game 1 Blazers were 12-39)

* Ed Davis: 12 pts - 16 rebs - 2 asts in 25 minutes

* Clippers bench outscored the Warrior bench by 43 points; Clips lost game by 17

I'm making a TSE bet. Blazers win and I drink whatever the Wiz chooses.

[Brandon-Clyde]

1st quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[Epicurus]

OKC has more top level all-stars = OKC will get more 50/50 calls from the refs.

[Wizenheimer]

check out the boxscores and you'll notice that the 3 home teams that lost shot 12%, 33%, and 21% from three. Their opponents were much better. The one home team that won shot 47%

maybe the moral is in the playoffs when every possession counts, if you toss up a lot of bricks from deep, you can lose HCA right off the bat (last year in game 1 Blazers were 12-39)

* Ed Davis: 12 pts - 16 rebs - 2 asts in 25 minutes

* Clippers bench outscored the Warrior bench by 43 points; Clips lost game by 17

I'm making a TSE bet. Blazers win and I drink whatever the Wiz chooses.

win the 1st game or series? It's a drink per win regardless...going rate

everything my head says that OKC will win in 6. But my heart keeps telling my head that the Blazers are going to be focused enough to not have horrible halves. Maybe for a quarter and sometimes that can lose a game, But I think they'll play well in games in the Moda. And like I said in another post, OKC has more potential for disastrous halves and self-destruction than Portland. Besides that, Lillard is healthy and Paul George isn't. Also, while Stotts vs Popovich or Snyder would probably be a disadvantage for Portland, Stotts vs Donovan isn't

even if the Blazers shoot 20% on three's in a game, there's a decent chance that OKC will match.

I do expect a really chippy series and that can be fun to watch. Too bad Nurkic isn't there to get under the WestGeorge skin, but Zach has elbows too, and Meyers can irritate anybody who is playing or watching

[DusterBuster]

Just Game 1.

[GEE]

Just a couple hours til tip-off and I'm so excited, but my expectations remain modest. Hopefully the refs don't play a major role, call a clean/fair game, and keep the antics and cheep shots to a minimum. Probably to much to ask, right?

As for what we CAN control...

I'm curious as always about what the player rotations will look like. OKC's length at SG has been a problem for us. I'm certain we'll see CJ start, but that short stint with Hood in the starting line-up was beautiful to watch, especially on D. O'well, I expect high numbers from CJ, but I also think, the less Dame and CJ dribble the rock, the better we'll be. Ball and player movement should be key, as well as setting up your teammates. On defense, maybe we should give them a taste of their own strategy; trap the ball out of Westbrooks hands. Also... be prepared to take the charge.

My biggest worry is, Stotts reverting back to overusing players, and not trusting the bench. And I hate to say this, but I think Meyers Leonard could be "the biggest factor" in this series. Yikes!

edit.. a big factor, not the biggest though.

[monopoman]

Just a couple hours til tip-off and I'm so excited, but my expectations remain modest. Hopefully the refs don't play a major role, call a clean/fair game, and keep the antics and cheep shots to a minimum. Probably to much to ask, right?

As for what we CAN control...

I'm curious as always about what the player rotations will look like. OKC's length at SG has been a problem for us. I'm certain we'll see CJ start, but that short stint with Hood in the starting line-up was beautiful to watch, especially on D. O'well, I expect high numbers from CJ, but I also think, the less Dame and CJ dribble the rock, the better we'll be. Ball and player movement should be key, as well as setting up your teammates. On defense, maybe we should give them a taste of their own strategy; trap the ball out of Westbrooks hands. Also... be prepared to take the charge.

My biggest worry is, Stotts reverting back to overusing players, and not trusting the bench. And I hate to say this, but I think Meyers Leonard could be "the biggest factor" in this series. Yikes!

edit.. a big factor, not the biggest though.

It's pretty rare for most teams to use more than 8-9 players in the playoffs it's just how things go. This isn't a Stotts issue it's pretty much a league issue most teams shorten their list of probable players in the playoffs.

[monopoman]

Let's get a good luck song from the man himself before this game. A big game from Lillard will make this game a lot easier to win go Blazers!

Spoiler:

Watch on YouTube

[Oneluckbox]

So hyped. Lets go Blazers!!!

[DusterBuster]

I can already tell this series is going to give me multiple anxiety attacks.

[Moonbeam]

Both teams hot early. Hope Portland can keep it up!

[red_power]

I was dead obvious even before start of the game but Kan't -er's factor is going to be real pain in ass for blazers in this series.

[monopoman]

Lillard+CJ looking very good offensively to start this one which is a great sign especially for CJ. They might need to start sending a double team to challenge Adams when he is in the paint.

[Epicurus]

Lillard+CJ looking very good offensively to start this one which is a great sign especially for CJ. They might need to start sending a double team to challenge Adams when he is in the paint.

Or let's see if Adams' offense can produce a win.

[Moonbeam]

Woo hoooooooo!

[Village Idiot]

Heck of a start! Great D on George and Westbrook. Are we going to miss from 3?

[monopoman]

Blazers really showing effort and focus to start this one and they are **** on fire from 3 point land.