HotTubMike wrote:bb22 wrote:I hope the Blazers take game 2. I see the series seesawing between big games from Steph/Klay and Dame/CJ until Durant comes back. Once KD is back, it just makes the Warriors impossible to contain down the stretch.
Na. GSW have elite wing defenders they can keep throwing at Dame/CJ... Thompson, Iggy and Green.. I doubt we see either of them "go off"
They've "gone off" multiple times in the past against these same defenders though? They will have big games. Portland just needs to be a lot smarter about lineups to be competetive. Rodney Hood needs to be out there with the starters for spacing and size. Collins should be playing over Kanter and should blitz Curry in the pick and roll and use his length to bother Curry. Harkless and Collins double teaming Curry in a pick and roll situation is going to be EXTREMELY difficult on Curry.... I'm not sure I trust Stotts to make the proper adjustments though.
The Blazers could and should absolutely play the blitzing game that GS is employing on Lillard on Curry. Warriors defenders may be better, but there's no way you're going to convince me that a Collins/Harkless blitz isn't an immediate pass out for Curry.
The most obvious thing for Portland to do is play with:
Collins
Aminu
Harkless
CJ
Lillard
With Hood coming on for large stretches, I would have Hood come in when ANY single one of Green/Klay/Curry sit. Hood could also play in the starting lineup in place of Aminu. With a lineup of:
Collins
Harkless
Hood
CJ
Lillard
With the 1st lineup, my thought is sticking Harkless on Curry, and blitzing Green/Bogut P&Rs with Aminu or Collins. That level of length necessitates a near immediate pass out by Curry. The offense won't likely be great, but that's the best defensive matchup for Portland IMO.
The 2nd lineup I throw Hood on Curry, and blitz with Harkless or Collins in 1-4 and 1-5 P&Rs. Hood isn't the greatest defender, but he's still pretty long, and hasn't been a complete sieve for Portland to this point. Still a difficult time for Curry to get up many shots as the ballhandler. Portland's offense will look a lot better if the Warriors are content to give Hood open looks all game. Portland should also make a concerted effort with this lineup to get Hood on Curry in the post. In both lineups you have to keep CJ on Klay unfortunately, and hide Lillard on Iggy. But the Blazers in these lineups are at least mobile, and can chase on the defensive end.
