What's with the first quarter?

by djudd on Jan 14, 2009 11:15 PM PST

I've noticed that quite a few games lately the opposition has come out shooting lights out. in the 1st Quarter. It took me over an hour to do the research because I couldn't find team FG% by quarter, but check it out...

Last 9 games: Opponents shoot an avg. of 53.6% in the 1st Quarter
Dallas: 60% (48.8% for the game)
Toronto: 52.6% (44.9%/game)
Boston: 50% (40.3%/game)
New Orleans 53.3% (51.3%/game)
L*kers 60% (49.3%/game)
Detroit 50% (50%/game)
Golden St. 56.2% (50.7%/game)
Chicago 50% (43.4%/game)
Philadelphia 50% (46.1%/game)

Overall on the year, the Blazers have given up 50% or more in 1st Q. 20 times!

So my question to everyone: What's with the slow starts? The team started the season with "Defense" and the mantra. I'm reasonably happy with the record, but why can't they defend in the 1st Quarter???

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I've noticed this as well...

and it’s really frustrating isn’t it? It’s as if they’re trying to conserve energy for later in the game. If that’s the case, we need to knock that ish off.

by blazerbeliever on Jan 15, 2009 12:09 AM PST reply actions

similar

I just posted a similar fanpost, except I focus on the slow offensive first quarters we’ve been having…

maybe other teams have better shootarounds?

by pklym on Jan 15, 2009 12:13 AM PST reply actions

Our last good 1st quarter was in the Laker game

How’d that turn out?

In all seriousness, its a frustrating trend and I don’t have the answer.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jan 15, 2009 12:42 AM PST reply actions

good point

so its either a good 1q or a good rest of the game (with the exception of tonight….)

by pklym on Jan 15, 2009 1:02 AM PST up reply actions

Too many rookies are starting

Martell needs to be the starting SF to prevent this from happening.

I'm a Blazers fan and If you ban me from your blog, I'll sue you!

by tominhawaii on Jan 15, 2009 3:24 AM PST reply actions

Agreed with TiH

Also…maybe its bc we are a jumpshooting team and we need to get a bit warmed up before we hit our shots? I dunno maybe that is why we tend to go with LmA in the low post to start off games. I’ve only noticed this with Lma and haven’t paid attention to the others in regards to this, but most of the time he scores in the paint its early in the game…late in the game he tends to shoot more jumpers outside. Maybe this is bc we use the pick and pop late in games cuz brandon is getting doubled. I’m not sure the reason why but he tends to drift away from the basket as the game goes on.

The most hated Blazer is like the least hottest supermodel - Sabonis4Ever

by Philthyanimal on Jan 15, 2009 10:36 AM PST reply actions