Blazer's Edge - Nuggets 118, Blazers 109: Complete CoverageThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2013-04-14T16:30:09-07:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/39862472013-04-14T16:30:09-07:002013-04-14T16:30:09-07:00Final: Blazers Scare Nuggets, but Fall 118-109
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With the Portland Trail Blazers missing three starters, you shouldn't expect much. But they unexpectedly held their own in Denver, giving the Nuggets and their fans a scare, before succumbing late for an entertaining loss. The Blazers are now tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 11th seed in the draft.</p> <p>The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard's 30 points and 6 assists, carrying the team throughout the second half. He also made 4 three-pointers, placing him in a tie with Damon Stoudamire for the all-time team season record (181). Will Barton recorded another nice night, with 17 points (on 8 shots), 9 rebounds and 5 assists. JJ Hickson was his usual self, adding 19 points and 9 boards.. Meyers Leonard (10) and Eric Maynor (14) also scored in double figures. LaMarcus Aldridge was held out of the game due to a sore ankle.</p>
<p><b>First Quarter:</b> The Blazers started four rookies, and Hickson. What did you expect at the beginning? They kept it close for a few minutes, but Denver's defense was too strong, and it started leading to fast break dunks at the other end. When they didn't break, they still dunked, just via the half court offense. That described the entire second half of the first quarter, as the lead rocketed from 2 to 16. <b>Score: Nuggets 37, Blazers 21.</b></p>
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<p>Do you guys remember when this season was fun? That couldn’t have been this season, could it? Nah.<br>by <b>Corwin71 </b></p>
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<p><b>Second Quarter:</b> Denver got sloppy, hitting no field goals for the first 5 minutes, while the Blazers cut their lead back down into single digits. By the time Hickson took the ball coast to coast, leading to a Barton layup, the Denver lead was 7 and they wanted a timeout. As the Blazer bench came in, the game became a near mirror-image of the first, as Denver's lead began growing again. As Denver racked up the easy points, Portland pulled out their socket wrenches to keep the wheels from flying off (translation: they made one three-pointer), but Denver took a comfortable lead into the locker room. <b>Score: Nuggets 67, Blazers 50</b></p>
<p>[<b>Wait a minute:</b> With 0.4 seconds left in the quarter, the Nuggets inbounded from the Blazer end line. The Nuggets' own timekeeper started the clock before the inbound pass reached the player's hand. The referees reviewed the play, and confirmed the clock started early. So, they rewarded the Nuggets with a half-court inbound play, which nearly led to two points. To recap, the referees rewarded the Nuggets because their own timekeeper started the clock early. What's to prevent a home team from attempting this in the playoffs with 0.7 seconds left? Either the refs divided by zero on that play, or the rulebook should get a review in the offseason. Hopefully the NBA makes a statement tomorrow.]</p>
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<p>I don't know how Barton does it, hes got a knack for rebounding<br>by <b>JP503</b></p>
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<p><b>Third Quarter:</b> Denver tried to run away and hide, but Lillard said "no!". He personally kept the Blazers close through the quarter, scoring 15 (including two three-pointers) and showing some impressive improvement on defense. Unfortunately, in the final seconds of the quarter, he fell while attempting to draw a foul, and hit his cheek on the court. He seemed ok after a few minutes, but headed to the bench. Denver was able to maintain a double-digit lead. <b>Score: Nuggets 89, Blazers 78.</b></p>
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<p>Can we just clone Dame and play 5 of him at once?<br>by <b>JAnderson98VR </b></p>
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<p><b>Fourth Quarter:</b> Denver made another attempt to pull away, grabbing a 15 point lead. But more Lillard, as consecutive Blazer three-pointers cut the lead back to 7. With 5 minutes left, Claver hit another three, followed quickly by 2 Lillard free throws, cutting the lead to 4. Hickson went to the free throw line, hitting one to cut the lead to 3. But that was it. Denver's defense pressured the Blazers into a few poor possessions, and the Nuggets took advantage to put the game away.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278918" target="_blank">Box score</a> | <a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/portland-trail-blazers-tickets?pubid=1011040" target="_blank">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 href="https://www.blazersedge.com/#schedule_tab" target="_blank">upcoming Blazers schedule</a>. -- Tim</p>
<p><b>Dave's Edit: </b>For once I have nothing new to add to the recap. This game was exactly as bad in the bad parts as Timmay describes and exactly as Lillard-tastic for a while as well. At no point were the Blazers going to win it but at least they didn't get blown out. That's something.</p>
<div style="text-align: left;">Here's your <a href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/scoreboard.php" target="_blank">Jersey Contest Scoreboard</a> and the<a href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php" target="_blank"> form for Tuesday's game</a>. In the meantime, continue to ponder <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/4/13/4219640/Los-Angeles-Lakers-playoffs-refs-referee-free-throws-officiating-conspiracy-nba" target="_blank">why the Lakers and Jazz have such radical free throw trends in the last 10 games</a>
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<div style="text-align: left;">--Dave.</div>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/4/14/4224368/final-blazers-scare-nuggets-but-fall-118-109Timmay!2013-04-14T12:00:03-07:002013-04-14T12:00:03-07:00The Pain Will Be Over By Dinner! (Aldridge OUT!)
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nice of the NBA schedulers not to wreck our evening.</p> <p>Welcome to the Gameday Open Thread at Blazer’s Edge! This is a place to hang out and enjoy tonight’s festivities with your fellow fans. Treat it as if you’re watching a game at the local watering hole, but hopefully without the language. Like any passionate fan base watching a game, expect some disagreements, and a fair amount of changing emotions. But with some fun and some mutual respect, we'll get through it together.</p>
<p>Details for tonight’s game:</p>
<p><b>Tip-off: 2:10pm!</b></p>
<p><u>How to watch</u><br> Portland: <b>Comcast Sportsnet Northwest, </b>or <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/blazers/stream-games-live">Blazers streaming</a> if CSN is unavailable to you.<br> National: <b>League Pass</b>, <a target="_blank" href="https://account.nba.com/leaguepass/broadband">League Pass Broadband</a>.</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">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, pictures, or spoiler tags please.<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" 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">View complete season game coverage</a><br><a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/gameday-threads-2" target="_blank">View previous Gameday Threads<br></a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2013/4/14/4222064/gameday-thread-blazers-vs-nuggetsTimmay!2013-04-13T21:53:56-07:002013-04-13T21:53:56-07:00Blazers-Nuggets: Here Comes the Paintpocalypse
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Trail Blazers travel to Denver to face the Nuggets on Sunday afternoon. Chances of a Portland victory? Don't ask. (But discuss the matchup here anyway!)</p> <p>The Portland Trail Blazers travel to Denver to face the playoff-bound Nuggets in a 2:00 p.m. Pacific game televised locally on CSNNW.</p>
<p>And that, ladies and gentlemen, is your preview. Because unless something really weird happens the Blazers are going to get crushed. The Nuggets have lost 3 out of their last 23 games. Their home record is (excuse me?) 36-3. The last time the Blazers won in Denver the Rocky Mountains were just tectonic plates waiting to get pushed together. Plus the Nuggets are embroiled in a three-way war with the Clippers and Grizzlies for the 3rd-5th seeds in the West so this game means a whole lot to them.</p>
<p>The Nuggets score more points in the key than anyone else in the league. The Blazers don't defend the paint as much as invite opponents to express themselves with it. (a.k.a. the Bob Ross Defense)</p>
<p>The Blazers can't handle point guards or big men. The Nuggets have a million of each.</p>
<p>The Nuggets are without small forward scorer Danilo Gallinari but the Blazers are playing without half their starting lineup and the rest of their starters are sore, dead tired, or both.</p>
<p>And Portland didn't draft Kenneth Faried. Would that be barbecue or sour cream and onion on your shoulder?</p>
<p>Discuss the matchup here if you wish, then walk into this game prepared to grimace at the slaughter. Applaud if the Blazers keep it anywhere close. Go out and buy a lottery ticket immediately if the Blazers win, cuz the universe is bent your way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a> might sweat over this game.</p>
<p>Your<a target="_blank" href="http://blazersedge.urbanishment.com/gameform.php"> Jersey Contest Form </a>for this game. I cannot <i>believe </i>I missed the chance to set an over/under on Denver's points in the paint in this game to 79.5. Stupid Dave! Stupid!</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/2013/4/13/4222668/blazers-nuggets-preview-start-playing-taps-nowDave Deckard