Blazer's Edge - Nuggets 115, Blazers 111: Complete CoverageThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2013-01-15T22:11:29-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/36449152013-01-15T22:11:29-08:002013-01-15T22:11:29-08:00Turnovers, Fatigue Doom Blazers in a Close Game
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Trail Blazers take the Nuggets to the wire and beyond but critical mistakes catch up to them, scuttling an otherwise fine effort.</p> <p>You have to hand it to the Trail Blazers. 111-115 in overtime was not how that final score was supposed to read. The Blazers put in a fine effort, which you can read more about in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/15/3881136/final-nuggets-fend-off-the-blazers-in-ot-115-111">Timmay's instant recap</a>.</p>
<p>The Blazers benefited from bucking the trend in a couple of important categories. First, they refused to bow entirely to Denver's dominance inside. Don't worry, the Nuggets still scored an obnoxious 68 points in the paint...a game and a half's worth for most opponents. But the Blazers scored 48 in the paint themselves, also a game and a half by their standards. They relied on LaMarcus Aldridge in the post, J.J. Hickson on the offensive glass and both delivered. Portland also kept up with Denver on the boards, with Hickson outrebounding his counterpart, Kenneth Faried, 13 to 11. Portland shot in the high 47% range, just about the same as Denver did. The Blazers attempted 23 free throws to the Nuggets' 19, ending up +7 in points from the foul line. Every time the Nuggets threatened to go ahead for good the Blazers came back. They finished quarters like Pac Man tonight, showing poise and maturity beyond their years. In most ways this was a great game for Portland.</p>
<p>Ultimately 3-4 ugly developments cost the Blazers the victory despite their shockingly good play.</p>
<p>1. Portland's trend of moving the ball was a key to their high shooting percentage. It also created many turnovers in the hands of the Nuggets, who roamed the passing lanes all night long. Denver had 12 outright steals, forced 18 total turnovers, and scored many of their 22 fast break points after those picks.</p>
<p>1a. The Blazers had trouble getting back in transition. Often when they did they'd come up with a weak foul allowing the Nuggets an and-one instead of stopping the play. (We're looking at you, Damian Lillard.)</p>
<p>2. Portland went 5-5 on three-pointers to start the game then fired at a 3-22 pace from distance the rest of the night. Open or in desperation, the result was the same: miss. Since 27 of Portland's 88 shots came from beyond the arc, this turned out to be significant. Ironically Denver won the game by hitting their own three-pointers late when they had missed all night long. Momentum is a fickle mistress.</p>
<p>3. The Blazers got next to nothing from their bench again. Will Barton had a good offensive outing in the first half. Other than that it was missed shots, no rebounds, and bad defense. Every time the starters thought about building a cushion the bench gave it right back again. This required the starters to play huge minutes yet again, resulting in...</p>
<p>4. The ultimate deciding factor: fatigue. As the third and fourth periods wound on the Blazers kept turning over the ball, dribbling in place, missing open jumpers, and completely blowing defensive rotations. That last effect was most pronounced. At times four Portland defenders stood rooted in place while the fifth got burned. Those starters didn't have the energy for sustained runs. They'd make a move then get reeled in again. They timed their last moves impeccably, sailing forward at the end of regulation and overtime, but the Nuggets hit their shots and it didn't work out. In reality, though, those well-timed moves should have put the Blazers up 10 and sealed the game, not brought them back from 5 down to make it a contest. Had the Blazers been able to execute consistently tonight they would have stolen this game. Those lulls ultimately doomed them.</p>
<p>This game was probably a moral victory. Unfortunately those don't count on the record sheet, where the Blazers are now staring down three straight losses. What's more the long starter's minutes may make life more difficult versus Cleveland tomorrow. If the Blazers can muster this kind of game at home against the Cavs they'll walk away with an easy win. If the sloppy play and lulls carry over, though due to even more fatigue? Ouch.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">LaMarcus Aldridge had yet another team-saving game. He was masterful on the offensive end, working the block, drawing fouls, making great interior passes...he did it all. 10-21 shooting, 28 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. He even got hung out to dry defending smaller players on the perimeter late in the game and showed well. These nights aren't registering in the consciousness like they should because of the losses, but Aldridge has been great lately.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Nicolas Batum also had a really solid game...complete and effective. He played both ends, provided some lightning scoring when needed, and kept active on the court. He shot only 2-9 from beyond the arc, the one flaw in his evening. (3 turnovers might be another but everybody committed them tonight.) He went 8-17 overall for 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. This was another professional-grade game from him.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">J.J. Hickson wasn't great on defense but you already knew that. He gave everything he could, netting 13 rebounds, 19 points on 7-8 shooting, and even added 2 assists and 2 blocks. Do you love J.J. for what he is or criticize him for what he isn't? This was more a night for the former.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">At this point the lineup gets shaky. Damian Lillard had 8 rebounds and 5 assists plus 2 blocks and only 2 turnovers. He also shot 3-5 from three. He went 3-10 on shots inside the arc, though, and drew only 2 free throws. His shot selection was poor, at least in terms of timing. He had one flashy run of scoring and the rest was groan city. </p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Wesley Matthews looked worse. 6-13 isn't a horrible percentage from the field but 2-7 from the arc is not good when you need threes to fall. His were often open too. 5 rebounds and 2 steals with his 14 points is an acceptable line but his defense left something to be desired. He looked like either the biggest victim of fatigue or like he's still half injured. And this was <i>before </i>he got hung out on Ty Lawson three times down the stretch and got blown by. (Again, though, nobody rotated to help him.) You expect defensive lapses from Lillard but this is one of Matthews' calling cards.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Will Barton led the bench with 17 minutes, shooting 3-7 for 7 of the 12 points the reserves scored. The most impressive thing about his game tonight was that he worked for good shots instead of taking the first one available. Mostly that meant pump faking and getting closer to the basket. It was a good night for him.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Ronnie Price had 2 assists but 3 turnovers in 11 minutes. It's like he wanted to make something happen, as he's done in recent games, but nothing was there. He tried anyway and it didn't work. On the one hand I give him credit for trying to be that guy and even more credit for having succeeded a couple times. On the other hand I wonder if that's Price's role, as opposed to managing the game until the starters get back in full force. Check in after a couple more months and we'll have a better answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Jared Jeffries and Joel Freeland were non-factors in limited minutes.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Luke Babbitt, on the other hand, got destroyed on defense. My lasting impression of him from this game is Denver going to whoever he guarded on a given possession and that person scoring. Even when he was out of the play the rebound seemed to get in his guy's hands and that guy scored anyway. It was not his night. Night<i>mare</i>, maybe.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Memo to self: for about 120 seconds of any given game, JaVale McGee looks like the world's most amazing player. Outside of that he looks like a one-man comedy routine.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Cleveland tomorrow. Wish the Blazers a little luck and a lot of energy.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278288">The Boxscore</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a> will celebrate the win.</p>
<div style="text-align: left;">Your <a target="_blank" href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/scoreboard.php">Jersey Contest Scoreboard</a> and the<a target="_blank" href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php"> form for tomorrow's game</a>.</div>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040" target="_blank">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/15/3881668/portland-trail-blazers-vs-Denver-Nuggets-2012-2013-OTDave Deckard2013-01-15T20:32:32-08:002013-01-15T20:32:32-08:00Final: Nuggets Fend off the Blazers in OT, 115-111
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In the rarefied air of the Mile High City, the turnover-prone Portland Trail Blazers ran out of magic in overtime, losing a close game to the Denver Nuggets.</p> <p>All the starters had solid nights for the Blazers. LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 28 points (including 4 clutch free throws), 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. Nicolas Batum quietly had a nice night, with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Damian Lillard added 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while Wesley Matthews 14 points. And JJ Hickson added another double-double, 19 points and 13 rebounds.</p>
<p><b>First Quarter: </b>Before you could figure out whether the game was on Comcast Sportsnet or NBA TV, Denver already had a 13-5 lead. However, the Blazers settled down, hit some shots, and a Luke Babbitt three-pointer tied the game at 21. Unfortunately, he immediately fouled Denver on a made three-pointer, giving them back the lead. However, the Blazers suddenly looked like a well-oiled machine, with nice rebounding, outlet passing, fast breaks, and a couple three-pointers from a red-hot Lillard. The Blazers made 5-6 three pointers in the quarter, and led by 2 at the horn.</p>
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<p><b>[JaVale McGee] reminds me of a puppy who hasn't grown into his oversized paws.</b><br>by <b>Arby</b></p>
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<p><b>Second Quarter:</b> Aldridge continued to look like an All-Star, with multiple nice plays to push the Blazer lead to 7. However, it's in Denver, and the Nuggets weren't going away. Portland's multiple turnovers helped them out. Halfway into the quarter, the Nuggets took back the lead after a few consecutive layups. A favorite topic of Blazer's Edge discussion, Kenneth Faried, dominated the Blazers all over the court, ending the half with 17 points and 8 rebounds. However, the Blazers ended the half with the lead, by 3.</p>
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<p><b>I still wish [Andre] Miller was our backup for damian. Call me sappy.</b><br>by <b>cavejunctionblazer</b></p>
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<p><b>Third Quarter:</b> Kaboom. The Blazers fell apart, giving the Nuggets turnover after turnover, leading to easy fast break buckets and three point plays. The smooth, effortless offense? Gone. The defense left open jumpers and easy offensive rebounds. By the end of this Nuggets onslaught, they led by... wait, what? 5? Thanks to some timely late shooting, the Blazers kept the game close after three.</p>
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<p><b>Wouldn't mind seeing Nolan Smith in right now. Price is a disaster tonight.</b><br>by <b>Morgoth</b></p>
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<p><b>Fourth Quarter:</b> Ooops. In his usual early-fourth-quarter stint, two Ronnie Price turnovers led to an easy 9 point Denver lead. However, the Blazers re-established Aldridge in the post, and brought the starters back in. Soon, the Blazers were down by 3 again. But a few more turnovers gave an energetic Nuggets team extra opportunities, and they ran the Blazers right off the court. Soon, the lead was 9 again with less than 4 minutes left. They cut the lead to 5 with two minutes left, and Aldridge had two free throws. He swished them both. After Denver missed, Aldridge fooled Faried and hit an easy layup. However, Lawson scored another easy layup with 45 seconds left, giving Denver a 3 point lead. Matthews had a shot at a three.. and swished! The game was tied with 30 seconds left. Denver missed, and Lillard got a shot at the win... but missed. Overtime.</p>
<p><b>Overtime:</b> A Lawson jumper immediately gave Denver the lead. A Batum dunk got it back. Denver hit a three, but the Blazers stayed close, within one with under 2 minutes left. McGee fouled Hickson on a rebound, who hit both to give the Blazers the lead with 90 seconds left. On a broken play, Gallinari threw up a three-pointer against the shot clock.. and it swished. But Aldridge nailed a turnaround at the other end to tie the game with 45 seconds left.</p>
<p>However, after a bunch of boneheaded plays, McGee caught Hickson off-guard and dunked an alley-oop pass with 39 seconds left. Aldridge went to the line again for two more free-throws. He rattled in both to tie the game. Denver took a timeout, tied with 32 seconds left. But Wilson Chandler, who rarely plays, hit his second three-pointer of the game (and sixth of the season) to give Denver the lead. The Blazers had one last opportunity, but came up short, losing after a valiant effort in thin air.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278288">Box score</a> | <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a> via TiqIQ</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more analysis from Blazer’s Edge later tonight. In the meantime, check out the <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/#schedule_tab">upcoming Blazers schedule</a>. -- Tim [<a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="mailto:blazer.timmay@gmail.com">blazer.timmay@gmail.com</a>]</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/15/3881136/final-nuggets-fend-off-the-blazers-in-ot-115-111Timmay!2013-01-15T17:00:04-08:002013-01-15T17:00:04-08:00Mile High Victory? Talk about it here!
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A Tuesday night game in the Mile High City, hang out for the Blazers and the Nuggets.</p> <p>Details for tonight’s game:</p>
<p><br></p>
<p><b>Tip-off: 6:10pm</b></p>
<p><u>How to watch</u><br> Portland: <b>Comcast Sportsnet Northwest, </b>or <a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.nba.com/blazers/stream-games-live">Blazers streaming</a> if CSN is unavailable to you.<br> National: <b>NBA TV</b> (No League Pass tonight!)</p>
<p><u>How to listen</u><br> Portland: <b>KEX </b>(1190 AM and 102.3 FM; 1190kex.com does not air the game)<b><br></b>National: <a href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">NBA Audio League Pass</a><a href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank"> </a></p>
<p>The usual rules apply:</p>
<p>1. Please don't discuss non-sanctioned game streaming<br> 2. No swearing or pictures<br> 3. Please be cool to each other and don't be "that guy"!</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim (blazer.timmay@gmail.com)</p>
<p><a target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;" href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a><br><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2012-coverage" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">View complete season game coverage</a><br><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/gameday-threads-2" target="_blank" style="color: #d80000;">View previous Gameday Threads<br></a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/15/3876550/gameday-thread-blazers-vs-nuggetsTimmay!2013-01-14T20:01:10-08:002013-01-14T20:01:10-08:00Blazers Battle Nuggets and the Inside Game
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<img alt="Dang, I got some Nolan Smith in my eye." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0fYJWUZcbUxTkxIsm0307ItixXU=/0x390:2667x2168/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6576241/20130113_lbm_aq2_184.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Dang, I got some Nolan Smith in my eye. | Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Last time the Blazers and Nuggets faced off Denver scored 74 points in the paint but lost the game due to historically bad outside shooting. They'll want all those paint points again tonight. Will Portland be able to force them into yet another loss despite their inside prowess?</p> <p>The Blazers head into Pepsi Center tonight to face the lipsmackin' thirst quenchin' ace tastin' motivatin' good-buzzin' cool talkin' high walkin' fast-livin' ever-givin' cool fizzin' Nuggets tonight in a game that starts around 6:00 p.m. Pacific and will be televised on CSNNW locally and NBATV nationally.</p>
<p>As implied in the opening paragraph, the Nuggets are on quite a roll, having won 5 in a row and 8 out of their last 10. They've been manhandling people lately too, with 4 of those last 5 wins accompanied by 108 points or more and victims including the Lakers, Jazz, and Warriors.</p>
<p>Danilo Gallinari has been on a roll lately with Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried also putting up big numbers. Andre Iguodala is shooting poorly but filling up the boxscore anyway. Center Kosta Koufos is the lone holdout. He scored 21 against the Cavaliers but it's been a while since he's had a good rebounding game. Faried has been making up for him, though, so it hardly matters.</p>
<p>Denver's bench has also come on strong lately. Corey Brewer and Andre Miller continue their season-long string of excellence but the big new for Denver is the return of Wilson Chandler. He returned in their last contest to the tune of 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. With Chandler in tow the Nuggets now have one of the deepest wing rotations in the league...so deep, in fact, that they might be looking to trade somebody before the deadline. For now, though, they have a nearly-endless supply of guards and small forwards to throw against the Blazers.</p>
<p>Oh, Timofey Mozgov and Javale McGee still play for this team too.</p>
<p>If these rosters were a swimming pool, little toddlers would be tippy-toeing in Portland's end and fat frat guys would be doing cannonballs off a ten-foot board in Denver's. (sigh)</p>
<p>If you've watched the Nuggets at all this season you know they're the kings of Easy Buckets. They score an incredible 56 points per game in the paint. Putting that in perspective, you could combine the production of the Blazers and the New York Knicks and still not come up with enough paint points to seriously outscore Denver. Those with good memories will recall the last meeting between these two teams when the Nuggets scored, like, 2 points <i>outside </i>of the paint. Seriously. (You may also recall the Nuggets setting an NBA record by going 0-22 from the three-point arc in that game, but that's another matter altogether.)</p>
<p>In addition to leading the league in points in the paint by a huge margin, Denver also ranks second in fastbreak points scored per game. Unsurprisingly, that combination inflates their shooting percentages. They're 5th in the league from the field this year. The not-so-little secret: the farther they get from the bucket the worse they are, until you finally push them beyond the arc and they plummet to 28th in three-point shooting percentage. They try to make up for the lack of extra points from distance by recouping them at the foul line. They're 5th in the league at free throws attempted per game as well.</p>
<p>Also not secret: Denver's penchant for offensive rebounding. They're the best in the league in that department.</p>
<p>Denver's defense mirrors their offense. They defend the paint first, a task to which they're more than equal most nights. As you get farther outside their defense gets worse. Then again, they're pretty happy getting high-percentage attempts in the paint themselves while you test the "weak" part of their defense by launching outside shots. They're only average in fast break points allowed, but here again they score 5 more points on the break than they allow the opponent so your victory is Pyrrhic. Get in a running game and you just burned yourself. If Denver has a defensive weakness it's rebounding. They're not as conscientious on this end of the floor as they are with offensive rebounds.</p>
<p>The climb towards a win will be steep for Portland tonight. They have to duplicate their feat from December 20th, making the Nuggets earn their paint points and hoping they miss from farther out. Denver scored 74 in the paint in that game, though. Anybody want to guess what's going to happen if they get that many again? The Blazers also need contributions from their reserves, lest Denver's depth overwhelm. Portland needs to take advantage of offensive rebounding. They also need to remember that Denver allows opponents to move the ball. The Nuggets don't force turnovers and they allow plenty of assists.</p>
<p>All of that going right at once on the road against a good team is a longshot. Fortunately the Blazers get to retreat back home after this and face an easier lineup of opponents. Let's just hope they make it out of the Mile High City in one piece.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a> will tell you about the other side of this equation.</p>
<p>Your<a target="_blank" href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php"> Jersey Contest Form </a>for this game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040" target="_blank">Portland Trail Blazers tickets</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Dave (blazersub@gmail.com)</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/1/14/3876664/Portland-Trail-Blazers-vs-Denver-Nuggets-2012-2013Dave Deckard