The third time's the charm - First Round Series vs Portland

[CROklahoma]

Jesus, yea. Nothing to see here, move along.

[Pillendreher]

I hope we keep the offense lit today.

[ducler]

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[Andre Roberstan]

Agreed, Portland won by 5 points, but Kanter was +15. That's a ridiculous impact for a single player. Portland, as a team, was -10 without him on the court.

+/- doesn't equal impact. Especially not in a single game.

How about these numbers you just posted a minute ago? they must indicate something since you posted them. The bolded is especially curious.


Westbrook guarded by Lillard: 109.8 ORtG for the Thunder (56 Possessions)
George guarded by Aminu: 129.4 ORtG for the Thunder (34 Possessions)
George guarded by Harkless: 91.3 ORtG for the Thunder (23 Possessions)
Adams guarded by Kanter: 93.1 ORtG for the Thunder (58 Possessions)
Lillard guarded by Westbrook: 88.9 ORtG for the Trail Blazers (45 Possessions)
Lillard guarded by Schröder: 64.3 ORtG for the Trail Blazers (14 Possessions)
McCollum guarded by Schröder: 92.1 ORtG for the Trail Blazers (38 Possessions)
McCollum guarded by Ferguson: 140.0 ORtG for the Trail Blazers (20 Possessions)
Kanter guarded by Adams: 110.1 ORtG for the Trail Blazers (59 possessions)

Just for reference—on those "guarded by" numbers (and also a lot of "eye test" stuff), especially when the Thunder play guys who are good pull-up 3pt shooters, I expect Adams's individual matchup numbers to be bad. When they have him show as hard as he does, I think the algorithm still says he's "guarding" his man if he gets free going to the basket but the defensive responsibility has passed to the backside helper. They're conceding that inside look off the pass to quell the threat of the pull-up 3.

Rockets games come to mind. So do GSW games (wonder why their random cadre of interchangeable roll men feast?). It's a game planning decision.

[Thundershock88]

Blazers gonna come out hyped. Need to weather the storm and hit shots.

[hardenASG13]

George is going for 30 plus tonight.....it might be ugly but I think he gets it done. If they can get a good (by each players standards) game out of Schroeder or Ferguson (or both if that's possible), I don't think Portland has enough to keep up with them tonight and going forward. Play the hotter hand between the two of them more minutes, game by game.

Maybe pg should go more to the midrange if he doesn't have the touch from 3. He's gotta find a way to put up numbers if the 3 isn't falling. It can't be as bad as it was for him last game, which should be enough.

[Dadouv47]

If Portland trust Kanter like they did in game 1, I feel good about this game. Think he will get exposed once we start hitting some shots (only scared about Westbrook rushing things and not being as smart and as good physically than last game)

[Dadouv47]

George is going for 30 plus tonight.....it might be ugly but I think he gets it done. If they can get a good (by each players standards) game out of Schroeder or Ferguson (or both if that's possible), I don't think Portland has enough to keep up with them tonight and going forward. Play the hotter hand between the two of them more minutes, game by game.

Maybe pg should go more to the midrange if he doesn't have the touch from 3. He's gotta find a way to put up numbers if the 3 isn't falling. It can't be as bad as it was for him last game, which should be enough.

He had 28 last game. He needs to be efficient...

[hardenASG13]

George is going for 30 plus tonight.....it might be ugly but I think he gets it done. If they can get a good (by each players standards) game out of Schroeder or Ferguson (or both if that's possible), I don't think Portland has enough to keep up with them tonight and going forward. Play the hotter hand between the two of them more minutes, game by game.

Maybe pg should go more to the midrange if he doesn't have the touch from 3. He's gotta find a way to put up numbers if the 3 isn't falling. It can't be as bad as it was for him last game, which should be enough.

He had 28 last game. He needs to be efficient...

Yeah he's gotta hit more of those looks. He isn't having trouble getting them, he should have a big game if he gets the same looks tonight imo

[Dadouv47]

We look slow

[Thundershock88]

Bout time we played a good 1st. Look good so far.

[Dadouv47]

Bout time we played a good 1st. Look good so far.

Don't like our defense. Giving way too many open looks and Lillard is killing us.

Offense could be good if we can start hitting some 3's (big if)

[Dadouv47]

We really need Grant to score like he did during regular season

[Dadouv47]

Ferguson's lack of confidence is something

[Pillendreher]

Stop posting up ffs.

[Dadouv47]

Will Playoff Schroeder last more than 2 minutes?

[Pillendreher]

Save for that weird little period, this has been an excellent game by us so far. Portland has made a couple of bad shots, but our defense has been good and we have been getting good shots on the other end.

[Dadouv47]

Save for that weird little period, this has been an excellent game by us so far. Portland has made a couple of bad shots, but our defense has been good and we have been getting good shots on the other end.

agree but we need to make a better job on CJ

[Pillendreher]

Save for that weird little period, this has been an excellent game by us so far. Portland has made a couple of bad shots, but our defense has been good and we have been getting good shots on the other end.

agree but we need to make a better job on CJ

I thought we have done a good job. Just like in game 1, he's made some tough shots off the dribble, but I can live with those. As long as we don't give up easy baskets, we're good.

[JimmyRustle]

Billy Donovan needs to manage Westbrook's minutes tonight, seems like he has that fire in his eyes where he will shoot the team out of the game. Team seems to be more energized and playing together when he's off the floor tonight