Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Nuggets vs. BlazersThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2014-11-10T00:48:28-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/69473262014-11-10T00:48:28-08:002014-11-10T00:48:28-08:00Moda Center Crowd Swoons over Blake, Kaman
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<p>Special correspondent Bryan Renzi gives us a look from inside the Moda Center as the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Denver Nuggets 116-110.</p> <p>Here's Bryan Renzi with your In-Arena Report from the Moda Center from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>' 116-110 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a>.</p>
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<p>Just two seasons ago, the Denver Nuggets were an exciting run-and-gun team, the 3<sup>rd</sup> seed in the West. When you look at their current roster, you have to admit it looks rather deep, perhaps as dangerous as 1-4 team could be. But on closer inspection, Denver's redundant depth chart makes them a second-rung super hero team: the West Coast Avengers or the New X-Men.</p>
<p>I knew Professor X, I served alongside him; he is a friend of mine; and you, <span>Brian Shaw</span>, are no Charles Xavier.</p>
<p>Of course even second-rung super hero teams have highly skilled mutants not to be taken lightly. Still, fans were feeling this was going to be a Portland win before they got into the arena - "Half their team's on minute restrictions"; "I'm loving the play of our bigs right now" - and were accordingly restless early as <span>Ty Lawson</span> got to the rim at will and Denver ran a lay-up line.</p>
<p>Unqualified disapproval came through by the time Lawson hit layup with 4:05 left in the first quarter. Variations of "Come on!" could be heard around the crowd. I will not repeat what was being said after Lawson scored another layup, then stole the inbounds pass and proceeded to lay it up again with 2 minutes left in the quarter.</p>
<p>This evidently set something off in the fight or flight response of <span>Chris Kaman</span> (aka Unfrozen Kaman Scorer). In the span of 40 seconds, Kaman blocked a shot, secured 2 rebounds, and scored 7 points, staking the Blazers to a sudden 9 point advantage at the end of one.</p>
<p>If you had never seen the Blazers play before this first half - you would be pardoned if you thought this was Wes Matthews' team. It sure felt that way, as he scored 19 points in the first half and seemed to set the tone for how the offense should be run: smooth and controlled, with well-measured fakes and passes which dictated the terms of engagement, consistently putting the Blazers at advantage.</p>
<p>Half the crowd gave Wes a standing ovation for his 3 pointer with 4:32 left in the second period, a shot which opened the lead to 10. He got the full standing ovation treatment for his next three, buzzer beater to slam close the first half.</p>
<p>Wes also played D with hustle and grit, including an all-out diving steal in between a couple of Nuggets which got a roar of appreciation from the crowd.</p>
<p>The Blazers' defense, which has been pegged as a major factor in how far they can go this year, responded to Iron Man's call. It was extremely strong the rest of the way. It seemed like every shot Denver took was well contested, so even their makes were tough. The Blazers only allowed 44 points in the second half. That's a great figure in any game, let alone in a fast-paced one where one team managed to hoist up 100 field goals. Although Denver's guards continued to routinely beat ours off the dribble, there was a clear sense of presence, urgency, and unity on every defensive possession.</p>
<p>Unfrozen Kaman Scorer waxed philosophical about the Blazers' newfound emphasis on D:</p>
<p>"Ladies and gentleman of Portland, I'm just a Kaman. Your world is mysterious and confusing to me. People say we should play more defense, and I wonder, why? Isn't defense just passing time until I can hold rock again? Why would I want more of that? But I do know one thing: If I club opposing player's shot like Woolly Mammoth head, Portland make big noise for me."</p>
<p>The crowd made big noise for Kaman as he got 5 of the team's season-high 11 blocks. Still, there wasn't much obvious to get too excited about in the second half other than very solid team play. The Nuggets definitely tried to push things up-tempo at the beginning of the second half, and the Blazers proved more than up to the task, getting back fairly well in transition and giving as good as they got. The teams ended up tied in fastbreak points.</p>
<p>Brian Shaw went against his tendencies and tried to double <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> several times, but #12 reacted as he has all season to date - a quick pass out leading to an open shot. There's no hesitation on his part in these situations. On this team it does not matter who takes the shot. When this unselfishness is automatic for your superstar, that's a very good sign for your franchise. It's not like he didn't get his numbers anyway - we've just become accustomed to lines like the 28 and 9 he put up tonight.</p>
<p><span>Damian Lillard</span> did not have to turn up his scoring in the fourth quarter as he has in every other game this year. RoLo was free to play less than 29 minutes and forego his usual double-double. The Blazers freely gave some bench players time and still went home with a relatively easy win.</p>
<p>The biggest cheers in the fourth quarter were (1) a clamor for t-shirts and (2) for <span>Steve Blake</span>.</p>
<p>The t-shirt situation was perhaps unfair, as each quadrant of the arena were asked to cheer in turn to show how much they loved free t-shirts. The loudest (evidently the side across from the benches) got showered with a deluge of flying shirts, while the rest of us got nada. It would seem that those seated behind the baskets would be at a disadvantage here, but the marketing team, as well as Blaze the Trailcat and the guy with the t-shirt slingshot, were nowhere to be found for comment after the game.</p>
<p>On the Blake situation, the crowd was united. They absolutely ate up the replay which showed Blake shoving Faried after a pointless backscreen by the Denver big with no play action anywhere near them. (I'm not liking the volume of fairly dirty play I've seen from the Manimal so far in his young career, by the by.) The Nuggets got what they wanted: a flagrant and one more shot at trying to make this a game, but the deficit was too large and the time too late.</p>
<p>Blake had another strong showing offensively, stroking all 3 of his attempts from distance. After bad shooting numbers on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> and hitting only 30% of his FG this preseason, there were rumblings about whether Blake's elbow injury last year ever fully healed, It looks like we can wave off that concern now.</p>
<p>Of course the biggest concern of the moment is Nicolas Batum's heath. No one seemed to see Batum's injury live. It was late in the game and a lot of folks were already hitting the exits. It took people a while to figure out why the game had stopped. As a result there wasn't a coherent reaction to the injury from the confused and diffuse crowd. Nic had a brave face on, but grimaced in pain just before hitting the locker room runway. It did seem to be the kind of grimace that was more of the 'this is a severely annoying pain' variety, which would watch up with the 'knee contusion' diagnosis we've gotten. Those can hurt like a mother.</p>
<p>If there is any small consolation, the Blazers bench has been looking stronger and stronger of late, and the lineup that opened the fourth quarter - Blake, CJ, Wes, Freeland, and Kaman - looked downright solid. That is a group that can keep its head above water and give a nice blow to most of the starters.</p>
<p>We haven't gotten to see much of <span>Joel Freeland</span> due to injury. The crowd, in recognition, gave a nice loud cheer for his first basket of the season. His second basket, a spin and left-handed push over Faried, looked as effortless as when he makes that move on <span>Meyers Leonard</span> in warmups. Trust me, if his nightly schoolings of Meyers is any indication - Joel has some serious back-to-the-basket post game that we haven't gotten to see in live action yet.</p>
<p>And so it went - Iron Man helped our superheroes run off the second stringers in convincing fashion, sending them back to the Fortress of Shame (or whatever Denver calls their arena these days). Summing up, tonight we got a look at a formidable defense that is starting to take shape while being reintroduced to some familiar characters who might play key roles in upcoming storylines. That's The End, for now...until Wednesday night when the Blazers face the Nuggets once again.</p>
<p><b>Random Arena Notes:</b></p>
<p>All fans in attendance got a pretty awesome-looking team poster, more ‘action-y' than recent years. They'll be around, so definitely ask ticket representatives about them if you weren't here tonight.</p>
<p>There may be a changing of the guard of post-win songs afoot, and by extension I may have to forever retire my obnoxious ‘All I Do is Win, Win, Win, No Matter What' dance at the end of games. I personally hated that song until it started being associated with Blazers' Wins, which naturally made me want to suddenly dance to it. The last two games it has been replaced with the more subdued "My Team Winnin" by Travis Porter.</p>
<p>There seemed to be an uptick in the number of people signing up for the Toyota Half-Court Shot, and related discussion about the last attempt of the halfcourt shot - <a href="https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/47BB51B5AB1142357777227128832_34b049ea22c.0.1.4574270566680003105.mp4?versionId=mJmQMRjUhGoyFOz6ud.Rmt0kXjcu5MGk">which made mention on ESPN.com's "The Ten</a>":</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't think that was at rim height at any time.</p>
<p>The Blazers Organization honored the memory of Sandy Zickefoose, the season ticketholder who passed away on Friday night, with a moment of silence before the national anthem.</p>
<p><b>Photos:</b></p>
<p>A bunch of scalpers sold out early tonight!</p>
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<p>A Young Blazermaniac ready to bring it hard.</p>
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<p>Freeland posting and toasting Meyers</p>
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<p>Everybody watching Wes Matthews' highlights at the half.</p>
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<p>The bench really enjoyed a Wes three ball.</p>
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<p>Block Party in Full Effect!</p>
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<p>RoLo carried a big stick on both ends of the court tonight.</p>
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<p>The starters looking on in the early 4<sup>th</sup>.</p>
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<p>Blazer bigs mopped the floor with the Nugs.</p>
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<p>Hopefully not too serious.</p>
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https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/10/7185307/portland-trail-blazers-vs-denver-nuggets-final-chris-kaman-nicolas-batumDave DeckardBryan Renzi2014-11-09T23:03:04-08:002014-11-09T23:03:04-08:00Blazers Win, Batum Injured
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<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blazers beat the Nuggets handily but Nicolas Batum suffers a right knee contusion in the final minute of the game.</p> <p>After a week of up and down drama, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> were due for a perfunctory victory tonight as they faced the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> in the friendly confines of the Moda Center. They got the win, 116-100. They also escaped the first 47 minutes of the game with relatively little drama. That changed with a single minute remaining as forward <span>Nicolas Batum</span> fell to the floor after a rebounding scrum and had to be helped to the locker room. He suffered a right knee contusion and is questionable for Tuesday's game. You can read updates on his condition as they become available in<a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184957/nicolas-batum-injury-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggets"> our post dedicated to that subject</a>. You can find other post-game reaction from around the web plus a quick and dirty description of the on-court action in our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184407/blazers-vs-nuggets-final-score-portland-denver">Instant Recap thread</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Game Flow</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>First Quarter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Trail Blazers got down to business early in this one. <span>Wesley Matthews</span> scored in the post. Nicolas Batum fired and hit open jumpers. While the Nuggets twirled in place trying to figure out how to stop those two, <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> and <span>Damian Lillard</span> blindsided them. <span>Kenneth Faried</span> drew 2 early fouls. The lane opened up like magic for drives, dishes, and offensive rebounds. When <span>Chris Kaman</span> poured in 7 points in support of the starters and <span>Steve Blake</span> hit a three to end the period, it almost wasn't fair. Portland notched 36 in their first 12 minutes. The Nuggets played fast and hard but could only manage 27. Both lead and momentum looked comfortable, but the Blazers thought the same in Saturday's game versus the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/8/7179031/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-final-damiani-lillard-chris-paul">ended up losing that one</a>. Would the tide turn again?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Second Quarter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Suspicion swept through the Moda Center at the beginning of the second period as <span>Terry Stotts</span> used his cushion as an opportunity to dive into his bench wholesale. With Kaman, Blake, <span>Thomas Robinson</span>, and <span>Will Barton</span> on the floor at the same time, scoring died. Denver made a 7-point run, closing the lead to 2, before Stotts waved Matthews and <span>Robin Lopez</span> back in the game. Matthews finished the period so on fire that Caesar Flickerman stopped him for a halftime interview. His 12 points (quadruple three-pointers) helped the Blazers reclaim a 64-56 lead at the half.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Third Quarter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Denver Assistant Coach <span>Lester Conner</span> gave an interesting interview coming out of the locker room, revealing the Nuggets' mindset. The key quote: <i>"They're going to let us score."</i> Given Portland's defensive reputation plus the 27 and 29 points allowed in the first two periods, his assessment was understandable. But it didn't work out that way.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Arron Afflalo</span> and <span>Wilson Chandler</span> put in buckets to start the period, then Denver went dry as the Blazers clamped down. Portland was aided by Coach Brian Shaw's decision to run two bigs--<span>JaVale McGee</span> and Timofey Mozgov--during the latter portion of the period. The Nuggets rebounded well but the Blazers ran circles around them on the offensive end. Plus the Twin Towers left Denver's attack straight, inside, and predictable. Anyone who's watched the Blazers this season knows what happens when you come against Portland's defense like that. Denver forays met multiple Blazers in the lane, all of whom bothered shots and dribbles and most of whom balanced out any rebounding edge the Nuggets might have salvaged from the move. Portland led 85-73 at the end of three.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Fourth Quarter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">10 points from the second unit in the first 4 minutes of the fourth ensured that the Blazers wouldn't be losing their lead tonight. Denver made a couple runs but they never threatened. The only bumps in the road were the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184957/nicolas-batum-injury-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggets">Batum injury</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7185051/steve-blake-kenneth-faried-push-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggets">a chippy pushing contest between Blake and Faried</a>. Other than that, Portland cruised to a 116-100 victory.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Analysis</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Blazers out-gunned the Nuggets tonight. But if you're tempted to shrug at such victories, remember it wasn't long ago that Portland couldn't make that claim against anyone. It's nice to be <i>that team</i> sometimes.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The second-half defense was as impressive as any we've seen this season. Denver being lane-bound didn't hurt, but the Blazers adjusted coverage and defended the paint well. You can feel the team's defensive confidence surge as games go by. If this keeps up it won't be long before they'll start believing in the ability of their defense to win for them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Also impressive: Portland's ability to adjust to a variety of Denver lineups. The Nuggets aren't entirely healthy but the Blazers still had to deal with McGee, Faried, Mozgov, <span>J.J. Hickson</span>, Afflalo, Wilson Chandler, <span>Randy Foye</span>, and Nate Robinson. However Denver mixed and matched--even when they got temporary boosts from differing skills and hot hands--the Blazers always had an answer.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Fun with Numbers</b></p>
<p>--The Nuggets scored 56 points in the paint tonight but shot 40% doing it.</p>
<p>--The combination of 16 offensive rebounds, 15 turnovers forced, and a quick pace pushed the Blazers to 100 shot attempts. It's almost always a good night when their attempts get that high and this was no exception.</p>
<p>--52% (16-31) on three-pointers didn't hurt either.</p>
<p>--The only clear advantage the Nuggets held came at the foul line. Their 23-30 rate bested Portland's 10-14, but playing style had something to do with that.</p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></div>
<p> </p>
<p>We've barely mentioned him so far, but LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 28 points on 12-26 shooting plus 9 rebounds and 4 assists. His jumper is so pure and regular now you pretty much take it for granted. The Nuggets didn't have anyone to stop him no matter where he fired from.</p>
<p>Wesley Matthews finished 5-13 from the arc, 8-19 overall for 21 points plus 6 rebounds and 3 assists. The Blazers opened with him in the post, the Nuggets couldn't compensate, and his offense developed from there.</p>
<p>Damian Lillard went 4-9 for 11 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds, but his most impressive stat might have been 0 turnovers. He's been coughing up the ball lately. The Blazers committed only 10 turnovers overall tonight and Lillard's self-control was a big part of that.</p>
<p>Nicolas Batum hit 2-5 threes for 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists in 35 minutes. He was a big part of Portland's versatility on defense and their ability to adjust to Denver's rebounding.</p>
<p>Robin Lopez had 9 rebounds and 12 points but his most interesting contribution was 3 blocked shots as Denver came right into his wheelhouse.</p>
<p>If Lopez was Gimli on those blocks, Chris Kaman played Legolas, notching 5 caps in 19 minutes. 12 points and 8 rebounds made him into a verifiable stats machine. As we speak the league is debating whether it's ethical to put Kaman on the floor anymore. That kind of production may ruin the integrity of the game.</p>
<p>Steve Blake played 22 minutes, put Faried down for 2/3 of a pinfall, and rectified his recent shooting woes with a 3-3, 9-point performance (all from beyond the arc). 4 assists were fine, 3 turnovers less so. The Blazers will live with it.</p>
<p>CJ McCollum had another strong, opportunistic showing with 2-3 triples hit and 3 assists in 13 minutes. The fast pace and green light meshes with his style. He looked as comfortable in the offense as we've seen him.</p>
<p>Thomas Robinson got the second-quarter call off the bench but didn't look comfortable, committing 3 fouls in 5 minutes. 4 rebounds mitigates that, but Robinson has become enough of a foul machine to make Rookie Mark Bryant blush.</p>
<p>Will Barton didn't look that synchronized either. He got the first look for the wings but it lasted only 5 minutes. Then McCollum eclipsed him.</p>
<p><span>Joel Freeland</span> saw 7 minutes of late-game play and did well on both ends. This was his best outing of the season by far.</p>
<p><span>Meyers Leonard</span> got a minute and an assist.</p>
<p>The Blazers have a day off before hosting Charlotte on Tuesday night. They play Denver again in the Mile High City on Wednesday, their second straight back-to-back.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578388">Boxscore</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a> no doubt was named for Faried's forearm style, but Blake's was stiffer tonight.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for the always-entertaining In-Arena Report from the Moda Center coming later tonight!</p>
<p>--Dave blazersub@gmail.com / <a href="https://twitter.com/davedeckard" target="_blank">@DaveDeckard</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank">@Blazersedge</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7185039/portland-trail-blazers-vs-denver-nuggets-final-nicolas-batumDave Deckard2014-11-09T21:15:00-08:002014-11-09T21:15:00-08:00Watch: Steve Blake Gets Tough With Kenneth Faried
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<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland's reserve point guard doesn't like Denver's physical play and retaliates.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> re-acquired <span>Steve Blake</span> because he's a capable primary reserve at the point guard position. They also re-acquired Steve Blake because he doesn't like getting pushed around by anyone...a quality the Blazers need to learn.</p>
<p>Exhibit A in the case of Steve Blake v. The World: his reaction when Denver power forward <span>Kenneth Faried</span> (who has 5 inches and 55 pounds on Blake) forearmed him in the back during Portland's Sunday evening victory against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a>:</p>
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<p>GIF: Steve Blake vs. Kenneth Faried <a href="http://t.co/DpEFuzqUku">http://t.co/DpEFuzqUku</a></p>
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/531664371735207936">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>Double technicals were called on the play, along with a Flagrant 1 for Blake.</p>
<p>You may recall that Blake got double-chucked by <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span> in similar fashion during <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/8/7179031/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-final-damiani-lillard-chris-paul">Saturday afternoon's loss </a>to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a>. That was also Blake's worst game of the season. On this night he made pretty clear he's just not having it.</p>
<p>Gotta love that guy.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Spoke with Kenneth Faried...said play on Blake wasn't dirty...he just back screen him... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nuggets?src=hash">#Nuggets</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/531676215883476992">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>--Dave blazersub@gmail.com / <a href="https://twitter.com/davedeckard" target="_blank">@DaveDeckard</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank">@Blazersedge</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7185051/steve-blake-kenneth-faried-push-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggetsDave Deckard2014-11-09T20:42:00-08:002014-11-09T20:42:00-08:00Injury Update: Nicolas Batum Out vs. Hornets
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<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Nicolas Batum goes down late in the fourth quarter of the Blazers-Nuggets game.</p> <p><b>Update:</b></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Nicolas Batum (right leg contusion) has been downgraded to out for Tuesdays game vs. Hornets. Would have been stunned to see him play.</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/531900371589820416">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p><b>Official News:</b></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>MRI confirms Nic Batum sustained a right knee contusion. He's listed as questionable for Tuesday vs. Charlotte (via <a href="https://twitter.com/TrailBlazersPR">@TrailBlazersPR</a>).</p>
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/531696962534268928">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> small forward <span>Nicolas Batum</span> was helped off the court late in the fourth period of tonight's game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a>. The Oregonian's Bruce Ely has the picture:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Not good news for Blazers as Batum is helped from floor to Dr. office. <a href="http://t.co/ZyZj2DT12P">pic.twitter.com/ZyZj2DT12P</a></p>
— Bruce Ely (@bruceely) <a href="https://twitter.com/bruceely/status/531663939436699648">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>The earliest Twitter rumors and videotape review both center around calf contact but nothing is confirmed.</p>
<p>The contact came with 1:12 remaining in the game as Batum and Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov lined up for a rebound. Mozgov's knee appeared to contact Batum's calf, causing Batum to fall to the ground, then rise and remain doubled over as play continued on Portland's end for 12 more seconds before a timeout was called.</p>
<p>We'll update this post as information becomes available.</p>
<p><b>Updates:</b></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> coach Terry Stotts had no information to offer on Nicolas Batum's injury. Said he's "being evaluated."</p>
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlazerFreeman/status/531667630482931713">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>Nicolas Batum did not surface in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> postgame locker room before reporters were required to leave, so his evaluation appears extensive.</p>
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlazerFreeman/status/531678447689408512">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>After review of different video angle, looks like Batum and Rolo banged knees as they jumped for rebound. Could be right knee injury.</p>
— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlazerFreeman/status/531689968519766017">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>Looks like this is the moment where the Batum injury occurred. <a href="https://t.co/1aqAJeetjZ">https://t.co/1aqAJeetjZ</a></p>
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) <a href="https://twitter.com/blazerbanter/status/531691962660036608">November 10, 2014</a>
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https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184957/nicolas-batum-injury-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggetsDave Deckard2014-11-09T20:26:11-08:002014-11-09T20:26:11-08:00Blazers Hold Off Nuggets; Batum Leaves With Injury
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<img alt="LaMarcus Aldridge competes with Kenneth Faried Sunday night in Portland." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y7_TBQQ2bcfus-fykzWA-zrKegY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/43802602/20141109_jla_ae6_182.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>LaMarcus Aldridge competes with Kenneth Faried Sunday night in Portland. | Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blazers bench helped hold off the Denver Nuggets Sunday night.</p> <p><b>NOTE: </b>Nicolas Batum left the game left due to injury. Replays were inconclusive, so Blazers Edge will have updates <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184957/nicolas-batum-injury-portland-trail-blazers-denver-nuggets">in this post </a>as the situation develops. It looked like an ankle or knee injury, but could simply be a contusion. Refresh and check the bottom of this post for the latest from onsite reporters via social media. -- Tim</p>
<p>----</p>
<p>The last several seasons, the Portland Trail Blazers biggest weakness has been the bench. Those days are looking further and further away as the second unit helped Portland finish off the Denver Nuggets.</p>
<p>Chris Kaman had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 blocks off the bench, and the bench combined for 32 points as the Blazers topped the Denver Nuggets 116-100 at Moda Center on Sunday night.</p>
<p>The Blazers pulled out ahead early on some solid shooting from Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews, who both had seven in the first quarter. Kaman had seven as well, and Portland took a nine point lead after one.</p>
<p>Matthews continued to be a force in the second quarter, fighting for loose balls and shooting 4-of-6 from three-point range. He finished the first half with 19. LaMarcus Aldridge came into the break with 14. Unfortunately, Matthews, Aldridge, and Robin Lopez were the only Blazers to score in the second quarter, with the other Portland shooters combining to go 0-for-8. Denver cut into the lead, getting as close as five, when Matthews drained a corner three at the buzzer to give the Blazers a 64-56 halftime advantage.</p>
<p>Portland's shooting went cold coming out of halftime, but their defense stepped up to compensate. Robin Lopez and Chris Kaman combined for six blocks in the period and the Blazers held Denver to just five field goals in the entire period for a whopping 21.7% shooting percentage. With the defense holding the Nuggets in check, the Blazers led by 12 after three.</p>
<p>The Nuggets fought back briefly in the fourth quarter with help from some questionable calls by the referees, but Damian Lillard scored seven in the last eight minutes to help seal the game.</p>
<p>Aldridge scored 28 to lead the Blazers, and Matthews had 21 for the game.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578388">Box Score</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Post-Game Reaction</b></p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>GIF: Steve Blake vs. Kenneth Faried <a href="http://t.co/DpEFuzqUku">http://t.co/DpEFuzqUku</a></p>
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenGolliver/status/531664371735207936">November 10, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Kaman had 5 blks in the win, 14th time in his career he's finished with that total...his career-high is 9 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/531664411518201856">November 10, 2014</a>
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<p>Stotts gives a lot of credit to ball movement tonight.</p>
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JamieHudsonCSN/status/531667733385986048">November 10, 2014</a>
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<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Spoke with Kenneth Faried...said play on Blake wasn't dirty...he just back screen him... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nuggets?src=hash">#Nuggets</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/531676215883476992">November 10, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Good win, @pezwardisking approves and hopes <a href="https://twitter.com/nicolas88batum">@nicolas88batum</a> is all good! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverSayDie?src=hash">#NeverSayDie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPCITY?src=hash">#RIPCITY</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForTheGloryOfEdward?src=hash">#ForTheGloryOfEdward</a> <a href="http://t.co/LiocbQB50Y">pic.twitter.com/LiocbQB50Y</a></p>
— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolopez42/status/531680706464731137">November 10, 2014</a>
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<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Terry Stotts on <a href="https://twitter.com/wessywes2">@wessywes2</a> diving hustle play in 2Q: "Wes is a competitor. Plays like that go a long way. It infuses energy and enthusiasm."</p>
— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryeggers/status/531701401114517505">November 10, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>Stotts on <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisKaman">@ChrisKaman</a>: "His rebounding is part of his defense. He collects rebounds outside of his body." An out-of-body experience? (1/2)</p>— kerry eggers (@kerryeggers) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerryeggers/status/531702011029241856">November 10, 2014</a>
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<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<p>VIDEO: Chris Kaman completes the <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2014/11/09/0021400096-den-por-play2.nba/" target="_blank">nifty up-and-under</a> thanks to some excellent footwork.</p>
<p>VIDEO: Wesley Matthews beats the halftime horn with a <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2014/11/09/0021400096-den-por-play3.nba/" target="_blank">shot from deep</a>.</p>
<p>VIDEO: Chris Kaman <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2014/11/09/0021400096-den-por-play4.nba/" target="_blank">rejects JaVale McGee</a> with authority.</p>
<p>VIDEO: Joel Freeland throws down the <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2014/11/10/0021400096-den-por-play5.nba/" target="_blank">emphatic two-handed dunk</a> on the fast break.</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7184407/blazers-vs-nuggets-final-score-portland-denverRyanASterling2014-11-09T16:30:02-08:002014-11-09T16:30:02-08:00Chat: Back In Action vs. The Nuggets!
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Blazers look for a bounce-back game against Denver.</p> <div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>6:00 pm</b><br>Watch: <b>CSN NW | League Pass</b><b><br></b>Listen: <a href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html" target="_blank">NBA Audio League Pass</a> <b>620am</b><br> Links: <a target="new" href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/blazers.pdf">Media Notes</a> <a target="new" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/10/29/5044302/the-2013-guide-to-watching-the-blazers-on-tv-and-online">Viewing Guide</a>
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<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. Expect some disagreements, and a fair amount of changing emotions. But we'll get through it together.</p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p>-----------------</p>
<p>The usual Gameday Thread rules apply:</p>
<p>1. No swearing<br>2. No pictures<br>3. No discussion of unlicensed Internet streaming<br>4. Be cool to each other!</p>
<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/9/7183339/gameday-thread-denver-nuggets-vs-portland-trail-blazersTimmay!2014-11-08T18:18:35-08:002014-11-08T18:18:35-08:00Blazers vs. Nuggets Preview
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<figcaption>Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blazers return home tonight after a loss to the Clippers yesterday, taking on the struggling Denver Nuggets, a team that has lost four straight.</p> <div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sbn-auto-link"><a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> (1-4) vs. <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> (3-3)</span><br>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Sunday, November 9<br>
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<div style="text-align: center;">Moda Center; Portland, OR | 6:00 p.m. PST | Local TV/Radio: CSNNWHD; 620 AM</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Out for the Blazers: N/A | Out for the Nuggets: Ty<span> Lawson</span> (day-to-day, probable)<br>
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<p>SBN Affiliate: <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7082097/portland-trail-blazers-2014-15-season-preview-tv-viewing-guide">Timmay's viewing guide</a> | <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/5/6909643/denver-nuggets-2014-15-nba-season-preview" target="_blank">BE's 2014-15 Nuggets Season Preview</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7085127/blazers-edge-night-2015-announced">Blazer's Edge Night</a></p>
<p>The Blazers return to the Moda Center tonight to face the Denver Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back set of games that started with a <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/8/7179031/portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-final-damiani-lillard-chris-paul" target="_blank">loss to the Clippers</a> yesterday.</p>
<p>The Nuggets have come slowly out of the gate this season, bringing a 1-4 record into tonight's matchup with Portland. Serious issues have arisen on both sides of the ball, as Denver is No. 28 in the NBA in three-point shooting (29 percent), No. 28 in overall shooting percentage (41.9 percent) and dead-last in the league in average points scored in the first quarter (20.2).</p>
<p>These offensive woes are compounded by a reeling defense; The Nuggets are No. 28 in points allowed in the paint (46.4 per game), No. 28 in total points allowed (106.4 per game), No. 30 in free throws allowed (36 per game) while allowing opponents to shoot 45.4 percent from the floor (No. 19 in the NBA).</p>
<p>This has led to Denver falling behind early in games, unable to dig themselves out of large deficits.</p>
<p>The Nuggets do a few things well, however: they block a lot of shots, defend the three-point line well and grab a large percentage of available defensive rebounds. For the most part, Denver is a middling team in most other statistical categories.</p>
<p>Who leads Denver in scoring? If you guessed point guard Ty Lawson, forward <span>Kenneth Faried</span>, or guards <span>Arron Afflalo</span> or <span>Nate Robinson</span>, you'd be wrong.</p>
<p>Shooting guard <span>Randy Foye</span> (!) is the Nuggets' leading scorer per game with 12.8 points per contest. Clearly, that's not a winning formula, and the results speak for themselves.</p>
<p>Lawson -- who led Denver in scoring last season with 17.6 points a night -- is playing on a bad ankle that kept him out of Friday's <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578373" target="_blank">110-101 loss</a> to the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cavaliers</a>. He's said he'll try to play tonight, though he may not be as effective as expected - Lawson is shooting 38.2 percent from the floor and 14.8 percent from deep in four games this year.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2014/11/7/7172433/familiar-ugly-issues-continuing-to-haunt-denver-nuggets" target="_blank">Drives to the rim are typically Lawson's bread-and-butter</a>, but he's being <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2014/11/6/7163273/the-reinvention-of-denver-nuggets-point-guard-ty-lawson" target="_blank">used more in the midrange</a> this year by coach <span>Brian Shaw</span>, which hasn't translated to wins. In two games against the Blazers last season, Lawson wasn't particularly effective, averaging 17 points but shooting just 37 percent from the floor. On a bad ankle, he'll likely continue his struggles shooting the ball. Lawson picked up 8.5 assists per game against Portland last year and averages 7.8 assists per game this season, so if his teammates are making shots, his drives to the rim could be fruitful via kick-outs. The issue there, however, is that Foye is the Nuggets' only bankable outside shooter at 44 percent for the season -- no one else on the team has made more than 28.4 percent of his three-point tries.</p>
<p>Big men <span>Darrell Arthur</span>, <span>Timofey Mozgov</span> and <span>JaVale McGee</span> were the only players to make 50 percent or more of their shots against the Blazers last season, but they average 12.8, 18.1 and 13.2 minutes per game this season, respectively. Denver's most effective scorers against Portland don't play many minutes and don't get up many shots.</p>
<p>Nate Robinson is shooting 48.6 percent from the field this year, but just 28.6 percent from deep. Faried has made 51.4 percent of his shots at the rim, but only gets up 9.2 shots per game. In 32 minutes a night, Afflalo has averaged 9.4 points on 33.3 percent field goal shooting, though he's made only 26.3 percent of his three-point tries.</p>
<p>Will Denver's woes continue all season? Not likely -- the Nuggets had nine players shoot 34.8 percent or better from outside last year. Still, they are clearly in an early-season funk, and the Blazers -- No. 1 in the NBA in opponents effective field goal percentage (43.1 percent), No. 6 at defending the three-point line (29.2 percent) and No. 2 in overall opponent shooting percentage (40 percent) -- should be able to keep a lid on Denver defensively.</p>
<p>Portland's best scorer this season is power forward <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span>, with 26.5 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting from the field. In three games against the Nuggets last season, Aldridge averaged 28.3 points, so expect him to have a big game tonight.</p>
<p>Blazers point guard <span>Damian Lillard</span> is struggling this year to finish at the rim, making just 38.5 percent of his field goals through six games. He has made 35.8 percent of his threes, though, and gets to the line almost six times per game, so Lillard's scoring output has been slightly buoyed by his ability to shoot from deep and get points at the free throw line, where he's made 94.1 percent of his attempts this year.</p>
<p>Shooting guard <span>Wesley Matthews</span> has been Portland's second-best scorer this season, putting in 20.8 points a night, making 54.8 percent of his field goals and 40 percent of his threes. He's roughly the same height as Afflalo and Foye -- who will likely get the defensive assignment on Matthews -- but he has a weight advantage over both, so again, he should be able to get some points off post-ups tonight, which has become a trademark for the sixth-year shooting guard out of Marquette University.</p>
<p>Center Robin Lopez has emerged as a legitimate option on offense this season, averaging 14.7 points per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field, with a nice touch on his midrange jumpers. If the Nuggets leave him open, he should be able to make them pay. His backup, big man <span>Chris Kaman</span>, continues to produce off the bench, making 62 percent of his field goals for 10.5 points per game.</p>
<p>Small forward <span>Nicolas Batum</span> has been inconsistent from the field, attempting 10.2 shots per game but averaging just 11.5 points. On the bright side, however, Batum has proven himself to be one of the most well-rounded small forwards in the NBA, getting 7.2 assists and 8.3 rebounds per game while typically drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing teams' most potent wing scorers. If Lillard struggles to stop Lawson or Robinson from getting into the paint tonight, Batum or Matthews might switch onto them.</p>
<p>Off the bench, point guard <span>Steve Blake</span> and wing CJ McCollum have struggled to make baskets, while guard <span>Will Barton</span> has been ineffective in limited minutes. Forward Thomas Robinson has made half his shots, but plays 9.6 minutes a game and is used more circumstantially, particularly when coach <span>Terry Stotts</span> needs to insert some energy into the game. Kaman has really anchored Portland's bench unit, which is again one of the least productive in the league.</p>
<p>The Nuggets don't rebound well under their own hoop, but they do grab plenty of defensive rebounds when they force teams to miss. Mozgov, Faried and rookie center <span>Jusuf Nurkic</span> are all solid individual rebounders, and power forward <span>J.J. Hickson</span> makes his return to the lineup tonight after serving a five-game suspension for violating terms of the NBA's drug policy, so Denver should put up a solid fight on the glass. On the other hand, the Blazers are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, led by Lopez, Batum, Aldridge and Kaman. Lillard and Matthews are also some of the better backcourt rebounders in the NBA. Don't be surprised to see Portland out-rebound the Nuggets tonight, as their team-effort on the glass so far this season has often carried them.</p>
<p>On paper, tonight's matchup looks like a winnable game, as Denver has struggled so far this season to get any consistent production on either side of the ball. Still, earlier losses for Portland against the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> and Clippers looked like good opportunities for wins, too.</p>
<p>If Lawson wakes up from his early-season slump, he could make life much more difficult for the Blazers' defense tonight and get the Nuggets back on the winning track after four straight losses. Denver will also need to see better performances from just about everyone besides Foye, though, and we'll see tonight if the Nuggets are indeed as bad as their 1-4 record would imply.</p>
<p>-- Chris Lucia | bedgecast@gmail.com | <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLucia_BE" target="_blank">Twitter</a></p>
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https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/8/7179519/portland-trail-blazers-vs-denver-nuggets-previewChris Lucia