Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Pelicans vs. BlazersThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2014-11-18T00:08:22-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/69971262014-11-18T00:08:22-08:002014-11-18T00:08:22-08:00Crowd Comes to Life in the 4th as Blazers win.
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<img alt="This guy doesn't know that that impending defeat is looking over his shoulder, sipping a beer, waiting for the right moment to pounce." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ej86Wu-IjzhLTWUW6ai9vLhM-mU=/0x38:495x368/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44178154/1__1_.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This guy doesn't know that that impending defeat is looking over his shoulder, sipping a beer, waiting for the right moment to pounce.</figcaption>
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<p>Andy P. gives us the scoop on the Moda Center crowd during Portland's comeback win versus the New Orleans Pelicans. Jerseys, signs, and Lopez love abound!</p> <p>Our special correspondent Andy P. gives us a view from the 300 section as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a> unfolded tonight.</p>
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<p>Walking in to the game tonight I was excited to see if LaMarcus Aldridge or <span>Nicolas Batum</span> would play. After reports that both had participated in practice, I was hoping to see them back in the starting lineup. The Pelicans have a lot of solid players and a budding superstar in Anthony Davis so we were going to have our work cut out for us even with a full squad.</p>
<p>Watching warm-ups tonight I noticed <span>Damian Lillard</span> and Anthony "The Brow" Davis chatted for longer than just "Hey, how is it goin'?" Whether this was two guys who formed a friendship at the USA basketball camp, or just two young guys dominating their respective positions, I couldn't help but get a feeling that I was watching two future long-term All-NBA guys sharing a moment before the game.</p>
<p>Dame walked away and proceeded to hit every shot for the rest of the warm-up. Dang, he's good.</p>
<p>None of the Pelicans got a cheer or a boo during their introductions besides a nice cheer for <span>Anthony Davis</span>. Glad to see the Moda Center crowd showing him respect. The kid can hoop. <span>Monty Williams</span> got a nice, hearty cheer when he was introduced. Also glad to see him getting respect for his time on the Blazers' bench, even though that seems like a lifetime ago.</p>
<p>Portland's introductions featured a big basketball hoop and net with a giant disco ball in the center. Again they used the retro/old school intro. If it's the same at the next game I am going to try and figure out what the song they use is so I can link it to my report. It's definitely cool and funky which I prefer to solemn and serious. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> returned to the lineup and got a very warm welcome.</p>
<p>The crowd was more into the game from the opening tip than they were for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> a couple nights ago. With the Blazers up 6-0, LaMarcus battled for a rebound and scored causing Monty Williams to call an early timeout. This was an early spark for the crowd noise. <span>Luke Babbitt</span> checked in and got a nice little cheer from the crowd. Anthony Davis soared for an alley-oop which caused a respectful murmur "Oooooooohhh..."</p>
<p>In the 2nd quarter the Pelicans started hitting some shots and it felt like the crowd was getting a little antsy. Chris Kaman's 2nd foul caused a fair amount of loud boos. I looked up and the Pelicans were shooting 54%. Yikes. No wonder the crowd was getting grumpy. When Davis blocked two shots in a single possession there was another respectful "Ooooohhh..." but this time it was a little more begrudging.</p>
<p>One thing I've always been curious about and never really been able to find an answer for is that some teams (the Pelicans tonight, usually the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>) use the basket near the Trailblazers' bench in the 1st half rather than the 2nd half. I only notice this because usually teams go against Free Throw Guy in the 2nd half, but this game they went against him in the 1st. I wonder what the Jazz and Pelicans know that everybody else doesn't? In this case it didn't matter as Free Throw Guy was on point and the Pels shot 40% on free throws in the 1st half.</p>
<p>In the 3rd quarter the crowd seemed restless early. Missed shots on the Portland side and a few <span>Ryan Anderson</span> 3s on the Pelicans side didn't really help. I noticed during one timeout that <span>Thomas Robinson</span> and <span>Wesley Matthews</span> appeared to be having an animated conversation with T-Rob pointing towards the baseline. The overall vibe in the Moda Center was kind of bummed out as the Blazers were unable to chip away at the Pelican's lead. Dame and Wes hit 3s and the crowd began to come to life only to moan and groan when the score was 68-83 Pelicans.</p>
<p>Blazers started to make their charge in the 4th quarter and it got the crowd going. <span>Robin Lopez</span> hit the floor for a loose ball and got a big round of applause. The DEFENSE! chants started to follow every Blazers possession and it seemed to give the team some life against a suddenly-shaky Pelicans squad. RoLo scored and was fouled on the shot which got the crowd on their feet. From this point on the vibe was almost to a playoff game type feel. RoLo passed the ball out to Wes for a 3 and the crowd went nuts. RoLo scored again for the lead and the Moda Center was fully rocking. From the 2 minute warning until the end of the game the crowd was basically on their feet and they were rewarded with a great Blazers win.</p>
<p>On my half time jersey search I saw very few New Orleans jerseys. Here was one of the guys on that lonely island:</p>
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<p>One guy in a N.O. hat and <span>Chris Paul</span> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.atthehive.com/">Hornets</a> jersey said he moved from Louisiana three years ago. There was also an Anthony Davis jersey, a NOLA shirt and a New Orleans jersey without a player name or number... like a practice jersey or something.</p>
<p>For the home team I saw two Sabonis jerseys, one from the Blazers...</p>
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<p>another from CCCP...</p>
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<p>There was a really nice vintage Blazers leather jacket...</p>
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<p>and a baby sized <span>Sebastian Telfair</span> jersey.</p>
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<p><i>ed. Either that's a hand-me down or those parents are kind of mean. Do you want people looking at your kid and thinking, "He's OK, but you could have had Chris Paul"?</i></p>
<p>I also saw a full <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> tracksuit (?) and a Kevin Durant Sonics jersey.</p>
<p><i>ed. Thanks for not sending pictures of those. Especially the tracksuit. Yuck.</i></p>
<p>Cool signs in the crowd tonight: "Pluck the Pelicans," "Tres 4 Days," "YOLO 4 ROLO," and "You can't tame Dame!"</p>
<p>Overall I was happy with the crowd tonight. It didn't start out as slow as the Nets game and even when the Pelicans were having their way with us, they didn't give up. We get a nice break and then time to bring it loud for Chicago on Friday. I'm hoping their physical defense tires them out on the road trip and they stumble into Portland with bags under their eyes and a severe case of homesickness.</p>
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<p>Here, here!</p>
<p>Pro Tip: Andy's going to be wandering the Moda Center halls for a few more games, so if you're wearing a cool jersey or have a sweet sign, find the guy with the camera and a smile!</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/18/7239667/portland-trail-blazers-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-fourth-quarter-comebackDave Deckard2014-11-17T23:23:27-08:002014-11-17T23:23:27-08:00Furious Fourth, Fantastic Finish Foil Foes
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Blazers bow to Anthony Davis for three quarters then rise for a thundering fourth-quarter comeback.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> sure do know how to put on a show.</p>
<p>In this case the plot involved three quarters of making the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">New Orleans Pelicans</a> look like they would cruise to a win, including <span>Anthony Davis</span> amassing enough highlights for his Hall--of-Fame induction reel. Then just when all seemed lost...whoosh! The Blazers turn up the speed, the toughness, the precision, and the three-point barrage to send everybody home happy. Except the Pelicans. How can you beat that?</p>
<p>Well, here's how New Orleans almost did.</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;">This game started with the Pelicans shooting (and missing) mid-range shots. Portland happily scooped up rebounds, pushed the ball down the floor, and developed a nice 8-0 lead within the first 3 minutes of the game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">After that all you need to know about Game Flow for the better part of three quarters is that Anthony Davis is SO SICK that the Moda Center crowd has been asked to voluntarily quarantine themselves for 21 days <i>just from being in his presence.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you develop a fever, that's probably just residual heat from his shooting. If you get a sudden case of the chills, it might stem from uncontrollable fear of his defense. If you start vomiting spontaneously, you're probably considering the fact that this guy is only 21...years...old and he already looks like a transcendent superstar. You can seek help for these symptoms, but this stuff is incurable.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Truth came to Portland tonight and the message was clear: sooner or later Anthony Davis is going to take out everyone. Get on your knees and pray that he is on the other side of the playoff bracket each year after he turns 24, or else.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">I've watched <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> play for 7+ seasons now. I watched him absorb lessons from <span>Tim Duncan</span> and abuse he took from Carlos Boozer. Aldridge has had worse statistical nights, worse performances. He was not dominated tonight as happened when he was younger. But I have never seen a single player make Aldridge look so uncomfortable with his jumper and dribble moves as Davis did for the first 36 minutes of this game. And anytime Davis got near <span>Damian Lillard</span> <i>he did the same thing</i>. It's like the guy radiates a 10-foot bubble of nausea around him. "I got the ball...yeah. I'm open. This is going to be an easy look. Just rise up and release...<i>oh no, it's Anthony Davis! </i>BLARGH-BLARGH-BLARGH BARFLE-BARF UP SHOT NOW!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">"Huh? What just happened?"</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">What just happened is that you haven't seen a defender like this since Williams Electronics stopped stuffing cabinets and counting quarters. If you thought dealing with Mutants and Bombers was hard, try getting up a shot over this kid. Don't get caught standing around waiting for some dude to fly by and save you. You better figure out something your own self or you're history.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We haven't even touched Davis' 14-20 shooting tonight (which at one point was 13-16). Watching the Blazers try to defend him in the post was near comical. They'd stay in the right position. They'd get their hands in the right spot. Then Davis would float over or around them and release the ball like he was a 6'2" point guard, complete with mid-air targeting and spin adjustments.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Or how about rebounding? When he wasn't bothering shots or making same, Davis was grabbing offensive boards and keeping the Blazers from doing same. Something pretty close to boos started rippling through the Moda Center midway through this game at Portland's apparent lack of effort. Except it wasn't a lack of effort. Everything they were used to doing was getting turned back in their faces, either because of Davis directly or because they had to pay so much attention to him that everybody else on the New Orleans side had the advantage.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Only one player in Portland's uniform seemed immune to the Davis Effect. <span>Chris Kaman</span> didn't care about diseases (probably had it already anyway) or old video games (talk to <span>Robin Lopez</span> instead). Other than taking a few lumps trying to defend Davis, Kaman did his usual superlative job. And when anybody but A.D. was on him, Portland's back-up superstar made the Pelicans look silly. Kaman was the one spark of life and hope in a slow, turnover-filled kludge of a night.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Until...</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Fourth Quarter</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">New Orleans started the fourth period up by 12 and extended their lead to 15 with 10:23 remaining when <span>Alexis Ajinca</span> (a.k.a. "Not Anthony Davis") converted a layup off of an offensive rebound. This provoked a cry of "et tu, random tall guy?" from the Moda Center faithful. At that point, most everybody thought the Pelicans had the Blazers down their gullet like a bunch of floppy anchovies. Including, apparently, the Pelicans.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">But the Blazers weren't going down without a fight. The first sign of revival came on a <span>Steve Blake</span> three-pointer moments after the Ajinca layup. Then Kaman hit. Then came a CJ McCollum three followed by a couple of free throws. Then Lazarus walked out of the tomb as Aldridge hit a 20-foot jumper. On nearly every count, the Pelicans were slow in rotating. Plus, to Portland's credit, they started moving the ball <i>more</i> when they got in serious trouble instead of bowing to temptation and moving it less. Iso ball would have fed right into Davis' defense. Instead the Blazers occupied the New Orleans bigs with penetration and passed around them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The jumper set off a torrid run from Aldridge, catching Davis out of the vicinity or flat-footed. Meanwhile Robin Lopez--missing and quiet most of the evening--made up for lost time on the boards, taking away one of the Pelicans' major advantages. New Orleans tried to slow down the game and nurse their lead but that only allowed Portland's defense to set and rotate better. The margin continued to dwindle as Portland passed the rock and the Pelicans held it. Worse, they didn't even entrust it to Davis' hands. Their guards were dribbling like they got a tenth of a point every time the ball touched hardwood.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Blazers went ahead for the first time since the first quarter with 2:23 left in the game when Lopez converted a Blake pass for a layup. The real dagger came from Lillard with 1:14 remaining, a three-pointer to put the Blazers up 96-93. The way fourth-quarter momentum was going, that 3-point edge seemed like 100. It turned out to be just as good. Portland finished off the game hitting free throws and walked away with a 102-93 victory.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Analysis</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Part of the subtext of the first three periods: the Blazers miss Nicolas Batum. They have a harder time moving the ball without Nic, a harder time defending, and rebounding is more of an adventure. The offense gets particularly painful when Aldridge can't find comfortable isolation looks. At some point some chucklehead is going to quote the Blazers being 4-0 without Batum in the lineup. Don't believe it. This has been a really nice 4-0 but with the exception of the win in Denver, it hasn't been a comfortable 4-0.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Exhibit A tonight: the Blazers turned over the ball 18 times. including 11 New Orleans steals. Batum commits his share of turnovers but his passes have purpose. His replacements (and most of the guys around them) can't duplicate that. Those turnovers and the resulting run-out points could have been Portland's undoing in this game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Blazers ended up with a respectable 10 offensive rebounds tonight but they had only 4 in the first 30 minutes of this game. Regaining control of the boards was one of the keys to their comeback. Another way of saying it: when they can't get those offensive rebounds the offense isn't nearly as pretty.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Besides Kaman, the Blazers got solid contributions from Steve Blake and CJ McCollum tonight. The bench was once again a major factor in the win.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Fun With Numbers</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Anthony Davis...31 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 3 steals, 3 assists, plus his desperation late-game three-point attempt (which missed) looked purer than any of those launched by New Orleans guards. This guy...</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--The Blazers shot 7-19 from beyond the arc tonight (37%). They shot 4-6 in the fourth period though. Before that they were 3-13 and suffering for it. However, the three is a really nasty comeback weapon. Just when you think the Blazers are down...swish, swish, swish.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Portland ended up shooting 50% for the evening to 45% for the Pelicans. Thank Jrue Holiday and <span>Tyreke Evans</span> for that. But the Pelicans got up 85 shots to 76 for the Blazers, meaning the percentages worked out to 38 made field goals for each side. Thank Davis for that.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--In addition to grabbing those 10 offensive rebounds, the Blazers gave up 13. That made the game an ouchy experience.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--18 turnovers...also ouchy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">LaMarcus Aldridge ended up shaking off his case of AD-bola and scoring 22, spearheading the comeback with rebounding and free-throw shooting plus some well-timed shots. The young pup looked faster but the old dog got the bone.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Damian Lillard looked unfazed through the whole game, up or down. He took over when he needed to, stepped back when it was Aldridge's turn. His big shots and defense made Portland's fourth quarter possible as well. 24 points, 7 assists.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Nowhere was Portland's turn-around more evident than in the person of Robin Lopez. For 36 minutes and change he was the Invisible Man. Then he Hulked Up in the fourth and took every rebound available, threw his body around in the lane, and suddenly looked bigger than anybody from New Orleans. It would have been cooler if he could have turned green too, but we'll take it. Lopez had 6 rebounds on the night, 4 of which game in the final period.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Wesley Matthews</span> scored 16, got physical with Tyreke Evans and company, and hit a couple threes. It wasn't an obvious effort from him, but he got the job done, especially on defense late.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Allen Crabbe</span> started again and...no.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Chris Kaman: 21 minutes, 7-10 shooting, 15 points, and a team-high 10 rebounds. He also collected 4 fouls but and 3 turnovers but he came by them in honest fashion (matched up against AD). Speaking of subtle changes...Kaman must have figured that his teammates were being too nice to young Mr. Davis. Tonight he embodied the philosophy: if they're going to beat you, bruise them. His underneath work on Davis may have contributed to fatigue for AD in that all-important fourth.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Steve Blake: 7 assists in 29 minutes and some decent defensive work as well.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">CJ McCollum shot 2-5 for 7 points, 6 of them scored in 40 seconds of Portland's comeback. Timing is everything. He also looks comfortable taking his shots now...a phenomenon that has persisted throughout the young season.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Will Barton</span> looks anything but comfortable right now. He's not in the groove or in the offense. 1 foul and 2 missed shots in 6 minutes.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Joel Freeland</span> had 3 rebounds, 2 free throws, 2 fouls, and a turnover in 11 minutes but played pretty well considering he's not an ideal matchup for the Pelicans bigs.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578445">Boxscore</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Check out our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/17/7238679/blazers-vs-pelicans-final-score-portland-15-point-comeback">Instant Recap</a> for quotes, post-game reaction, and videos.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/">TheBirdWrites</a> will be saying, "Oh darn! Well, at least we still have Davis." I'm not sure which is better, chanting, "Score...board! Score...board!" or, "Ros...ter! Ros...ter!"</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Well, tonight it's scoreboard. So there.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Also check out our <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/18/7239667/portland-trail-blazers-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-fourth-quarter-comeback" target="_blank">In-Arena Report</a> for Lopez love, jerseys, signs, and more.</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/2014/11/17/7239457/portland-trail-blazers-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-anthony-davis-fourth-quarter-comebackDave Deckard2014-11-17T21:23:19-08:002014-11-17T21:23:19-08:00Blazers Storm Back From 16 Down, Stun Pelicans
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland came back in the fourth quarter to rally past New Orleans Monday night at Moda Center</p> <p>Portland had a poor first three quarters against New Orleans Monday night. The fourth quarter was all they needed.</p>
<p>Portland overcame a 16-point third quarter deficit, and 15-point fourth quarter hole, to stun the Pelicans, 102-93 at Moda Center.</p>
<p>Portland started the game hot with an 8-0 run, but the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/">Pelicans</a> responded with a 9-1 run of their own to keep the game close. Once again, turnovers stopped the Blazers momentum, with Portland committing six in the first quarter alone. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> and <span>Anthony Davis</span> had a good back-and-forth shooting display, and <span>Chris Kaman</span> provided an immediate punch off the bench, but the turnovers allowed New Orleans to stay within one after one.</p>
<p>The turnovers continued in the second, and this time the defense was unable to put a stop to <span>Ryan Anderson</span>. Portland committed six more turnovers, two offensive fouls, and despite shooting 50% for the period found the Pelicans gaining and expanding a lead. Anderson had 10 in the second for New Orleans, and the Blazers found themselves down by seven at halftime.</p>
<p>The Pelicans put on a shooting clinic in the third, hitting 15 of their 19 shots. Davis was 7-of-7 from the field, and proved nearly unmovable on defense. The Blazers committed four more turnovers, and found themselves down by 12 after three.</p>
<p>Finally in the fourth quarter, the Blazers broke on through. Aldridge was 3-of-5 shooting in the period, and timely shots made by <span>Steve Blake</span> and <span>C.J. McCollum</span> cut the New Orleans lead down. On defense, every Pelican not named Anthony Davis was forced into bad passes and bad shots. Down 91-88, <span>Damian Lillard</span> missed a three, but <span>Robin Lopez</span> snared the rebound and fed it to Matthews who tied the game. After Davis missed a shot on the other end, Blake found Lopez down low for the Blazers first lead of the second half. Jrue Holliday tied the game with foul shots, but Lillard drained a three on the next possession for a 96-93 lead. Lopez sealed the lead with foul shots.</p>
<p>The Blazers comeback hinged on a combined 0-for-12 shooting by <span>Tyreke Evans</span> and Jrue Holliday in the fourth. Aldridge had 23, Lillard had 22, and Chris Kaman had 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578445">BOX SCORE</a></p>
<p align="center"><b>Gameday Thread Comments of the Night</b></p>
<p><i>During the third quarter:</i></p>
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<p>Strikes me as a game where NO is playing their best and cannot pull away and we can get hot in the 4th and win by like 7.<br>by <b>Carthage</b></p>
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<p><i>Earlier today, regarding whether Damian Lillard gets an award for winning Player of the Week:</i></p>
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<p>It's a racket.<br>The NBA charges the players 25k each time they win a Player of the Week award (40k for Player of the Month), and they claim it’s for "processing fees" caused by tabulating the stats and algorithms used in determining who wins the award.<br>All the player gets, besides a lighter wallet, is a sticker they can put on a league-issued Sticker Page. The first sticker page you get as a rookie is free, but if you’re a really good player and earn enough stickers to need an extra page, the league charges you 5k for one. They nickle and dime the players!<br>I remember back when Clyde won Player of the Month, he had to mortgage his house in Lake Oswego just to accept the award. It’s ridiculous.<br>by <b>Mortimer</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Post-Game Reaction</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Robin Lopez said he only showed up for 25 percent of the game. He picked the right quarter.</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/534583610461134848">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>RoLo also said close friend Ryan Anderson is much more "huggable" than his twin brother Brook.</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/534584495161479168">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews both mentioned the Spurs unprompted as a model of winning with depth/versatility.</p>
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikegrich/status/534586569135382529">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverSayDie?src=hash">#NeverSayDie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPCITY?src=hash">#RIPCITY</a></p>
— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolopez42/status/534587424584630273">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Chris Kaman finished with is 1st double-double of the season (15 pts, 10 rebs). It was Kaman's 173rd double-double of his career. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534587582076579840">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>LA finished with 6 pts in 1st half, but bounced back for 16 pts in the 2nd, ..here's his 2nd half chart <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> <a href="http://t.co/zw1WIG8A40">pic.twitter.com/zw1WIG8A40</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534588211951964161">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Robin Lopez had the same amount of rebs (4) in the 4th qtr that Anthony Davis had.... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pelicans?src=hash">#Pelicans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534588863071539200">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> also held Davis to 6 pts on 2/5 shooting in the 4th <a href="http://t.co/fL5B3JXSfH">pic.twitter.com/fL5B3JXSfH</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534589036501798913">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Dame on Lopez in the fourth: "I could see it on his face that he was locked in."</p>
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) <a href="https://twitter.com/blazerbanter/status/534589663806111744">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Way to grind that out <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ripcity?src=hash">#ripcity</a></p>
— Wesley Matthews (@wessywes2) <a href="https://twitter.com/wessywes2/status/534589675067826176">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>"He's not as dirty as Brook… I can't help but smile when I see that guy, that ruffian, that ragamuffin." — <a href="https://twitter.com/rolopez42">@rolopez42</a> on Ryan Anderson</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/534590167474921472">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday finished 0/9 in the 4th qtr...that didn't help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pelicans?src=hash">#Pelicans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZUo0Uqrb2E">pic.twitter.com/ZUo0Uqrb2E</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534591294182400000">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Anthony Davis was 2-for-5 in the fourth. Tyreke and Jrue Holiday went 0-for-14.</p>
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) <a href="https://twitter.com/blazerbanter/status/534591491570544640">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Should he have gotten the ball more, Davis said "No ...Whoever gets the ball, as long as it goes in the bucket then that's all that matters"</p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534591858966409216">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>Asked to describe the win over the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pelicans?src=hash">#Pelicans</a> tonight, LaMarcus said: "Gutsy. I like it. It shows that we have growth." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534592225821224960">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p>More LaMarcus: "I think good teams have to learn how to win games like that and we did tonight." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/534592539316060160">November 18, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/games/20141117/NOPPOR/gameinfo.html?ls=slt" target="new">See video highlights of the shocking victory amidst Davis' dominant performance at NBA.com!</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/17/7238679/blazers-vs-pelicans-final-score-portland-15-point-comebackRyanASterling2014-11-17T20:06:48-08:002014-11-17T20:06:48-08:00Chat: Blazers and Pelicans Battling in Portland!
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<figcaption>Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Let's not talk again about the first half.</p> <div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>7:00 pm</b><br>Watch: <b>CSN NW | NBA League Pass</b><b><br></b>Listen: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/broadband/alp_schedule.html">NBA Audio League Pass</a> <b>620am</b><br> Links: <a href="http://www.nba.com/gamenotes/blazers.pdf" target="new">Media Notes</a> <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/10/29/5044302/the-2013-guide-to-watching-the-blazers-on-tv-and-online" target="new">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>Injury update: <span class="sbn-auto-link">Nicolas Batum</span> </b>is doubtful due to a right knee contusion, and Omer Asik is out for New Orleans.</p>
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<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>
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<p>Hang out and enjoy the game! -- Tim</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/17/7233095/gameday-thread-portland-trail-blazers-vs-new-orleans-pelicansTimmay!2014-11-16T20:31:08-08:002014-11-16T20:31:08-08:00Blazers vs. Pelicans
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<figcaption>Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>The short-handed Trail Blazers look to stall Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans -- winners of four of their last five contests -- tonight at the Moda Center. </p> <p align="center"><span class="sbn-auto-link"><a href="https://www.thebirdwrites.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Pelicans</a> (5-3) vs. </span><a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> (7-3)<br>Monday, November 17<br>Moda Center; Portland, OR | 7:00 p.m. PST | Local TV/Radio: CSNNWHD; 620 AM<br>Out for the Blazers: <span>Nicolas Batum</span> (<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/11/lamarcus_aldridge_nicolas_batum_questionable_for_t.html#incart_river" target="_blank">questionable</a>), <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> (<a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/11/lamarcus_aldridge_nicolas_batum_questionable_for_t.html#incart_river" target="_blank">questionable</a>) | Out for the Pelicans: N/A<br>SBN Affiliate: <a href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/" target="_blank">The Bird Writes</a> | <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7082097/portland-trail-blazers-2014-15-season-preview-tv-viewing-guide" target="_blank">Timmay's Viewing Guide</a> |<a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/4/6908887/new-orleans-pelicans-2014-15-nba-season-preview" target="_blank"> BE's 2014-15 Pelicans Season Preview</a> | <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/28/7085127/blazers-edge-night-2015-announced" target="_blank">Blazer's Edge Night</a></p>
<p>The Blazers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at the Moda Center tonight. Portland has won four games straight, and six of its last seven; the Pelicans have won four of their last five games.<br><br>New Orleans positively dismantled the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> at home Friday night, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578420" target="_blank">139-91</a>, a game in which the Pelicans <a href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2014/11/15/7225491/bird-feed-broken-records-and-good-feelings-abound" target="_blank">set several franchise records</a>. The Blazers, meanwhile, took out the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Brooklyn Nets</a> Saturday, <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578430" target="_blank">97-87</a>, without forwards Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge, <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/11/lamarcus_aldridge_nicolas_batum_questionable_for_t.html#incart_river" target="_blank">both of whom are questionable</a> for tonight's matchup.<br><br>New Orleans produces a large handful of its offense from four sources: forwards <span>Ryan Anderson</span> and <span>Tyreke Evans</span>, power forward <span>Anthony Davis</span> and point guard <span>Jrue Holiday</span>.<br><br>Davis has emerged as one of the best players in the league statistically, ranking No. 4 in the NBA in points per game (24.5), No. 3 in rebounds per game (11.8), and No. 1 in both blocks per game (4.1) and PER (35.5). <br><br>Over his last five games, Davis has hit 63.1 percent of his field goals, including 85.7 percent of his shots at the rim, according to NBA.com. Over half his shots come in the paint, where he's an excellent finisher. The rest of Davis' shots come in the midrange, particularly from the left side of the floor, where he's an average shooter. He's not just creating shots on his own, either, as 79.2 percent of his field goals are assisted, indicating that many of his points come in pick-and-roll and catch-and-shoot situations.<br><br>Holiday and Evans have been the main hubs for Pelicans coach <span>Monty Williams</span>' offense, averaging 7.8 and 7.6 assists per night, respectively, over the last five games. <br><br>Evans has struggled with his shot inside the arc, unable to hit jumpers or finish at the rim consistently. In five outings over the last week-and-a-half, Evans has connected on just 40 percent of his field goals. He has, however, been solid from outside, connecting on 58.3 percent of his three-point tries in that span.<br><br>Holiday creates more of his own offense than any other rotational player for New Orleans. He's been a solid jump shooter and has finished in the lane well, converting on over half his field goals and 40 percent of his outside shots the last five games.<br><br>Anderson is mostly a three-point shooter, with eight of his 13.6 field goals the last couple weeks coming from beyond the arc. He operates heavily on the perimeter, and has made half his three-pointers in his last five games. Most of Anderson's outside shots are of the catch-and-shoot variety, and he's deadly from either corner.<br><br>Starting shooting guard <span>Eric Gordon</span> and his backup, <span>Austin Rivers</span>, both get up about 7-10 shots per game, though Rivers has been markedly more efficient this season: he's made 60 percent of his field goals the last five games compared to Gordon's 38.1 percent, while out-shooting Gordon from the three-point line in that span, 57.1 to 27.8 percent. Both players tend to either take it all the way to the hoop or shoot from outside, largely avoiding midrange jumpers.<br><br>A number of other contributors get sporadic playing time for Williams, but his main rotation consists of seven players. Center Omer Asik plays over 25 minutes a night, but he is effective mainly as a screen-setter on offense and rarely gets his own number called.<br><br>Overall, the Pelicans are a pretty good three-point shooting team, though their attempts from outside are fairly limited. They get up 87.6 field goals per game, though, which is good for No. 2 in the league in attempts, and they are a top-6 team in field goal percentage. The Pelicans don't get to the free throw line often, but they don't turn the ball over often, either, and they score more points in the paint than any other team in the league. Their ball movement is solid, and Evans and Holiday are particularly dangerous when taking the ball to the hole and finding open teammates.<br><br>Defensively, New Orleans does a good job of running shooters off the three-point line and forcing opponents into long, 2-point jumpers. Asik is <a href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2014/11/14/7216803/shooting-for-success-new-orleans-pelicans-improving-on-defense" target="_blank">one of the best rim-protectors in the NBA</a>, and Davis gets a staggering amount of blocks with his help defense, but the Pelicans are still a <a href="http://www.thebirdwrites.com/2014/11/16/7226937/can-the-pelicans-become-a-top-defensive-team" target="_blank">mediocre team at defending the paint</a>. They're also prone to giving up fast break points, as both big men crash the offensive glass pretty hard. New Orleans does foul often, with their perimeter defenders putting opposing players at the free throw line consistently -- Anderson and Davis rarely foul for big men.<br><br>Not surprisingly, Blazers point guard <span>Damian Lillard</span> has been huge for his team the last week, first without Batum and now without Aldridge in the lineup. Over the past five games, he's averaged 24 points, 8.2 assists and 5.2 rebounds while shooting 58.1 percent from the field and a staggering 60.6 percent from deep -- on 6.6 three-pointers attempted. <br><br>In the win over the Nets Saturday night, Lillard scored 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting -- including a 4-6 performance from deep while hitting 8-of-9 free throws -- and picked up five boards and 10 assists. He'll again be asked to put the team on his back, and has clearly shown he's capable lately after a sluggish start to the season offensively.<br><br>Shooting guard <span>Wesley Matthews</span> has cooled off a bit since starting the season as the Blazers' most consistent perimeter scorer. In the last five games, Matthews has hit 36.8 percent of his field goals and 32.5 percent of his threes. He may get more back-to-the-basket touches tonight than he did against Brooklyn, as Gordon does not have imposing size for a shooting guard and Rivers is particularly thin. Keep on eye on Matthews when Rivers is in the game, as he'll likely look to back him down. <br><br>The rest of the offensive looks tonight will likely come from a handful of contributors.<br><br>Center Robin Lopez got up nine shots against the Nets and big man <span>Chris Kaman</span> attempted 11. Starting power forward <span>Meyers Leonard</span> took seven shots in Aldridge's absence, and wing Allen crabbe -- Batum's replacement in the starting lineup -- took eight shots, including six threes.<br><br>Lopez has made 57.4 percent of his looks the last five games, mostly working around the basket. Kaman had a rough shooting night against the Nets on Saturday, but he's otherwise been a very effective scorer, particularly with his jumpshot, and he's been serviceable down low, able to score with either hand near the rim.<br><br>Crabbe is still working out the kinks in his shot since being thrust into the starting lineup last week, hitting just a third of his attempts the last couple weeks. Still, he only takes shots in the flow of the offense and coach <span>Terry Stotts</span> has given him the green light to shoot when he's open.<br><br>Backup guard CJ McCollum hasn't been able to score much inside the perimeter, but he's been a great catch-and-shoot man from outside, hitting 50 percent of his threes the last several games. Backup point guard <span>Steve Blake</span>, who's playing over 22 minutes a night, has been a decent three-point shooter, converting on 36.8 percent of his attempts the last five games.<br><br><span>Joel Freeland</span> and <span>Will Barton</span> round out Stotts' rotation, though neither contributes much offensively besides hustle plays. Even with the Blazers missing two starters, forwards <span>Thomas Robinson</span> and <span>Dorell Wright</span> have been unable to earn any meaningful playing time lately. <br><br>Portland's defense has held opponents to 43.4 percent shooting from the field the last five games (No. 7 in the NBA) and 31.3 percent from outside (No. 4), while allowing just 16.6 assists a game in that span (No. 1). The Blazers are average at defending the paint and decent at preventing fast break points, not forcing many turnovers while putting opposing teams at the line fairly often. They've excelled at limiting teams' looks from outside, forcing them into less efficient shots.<br><br>The Blazers have been the best rebounding team in the NBA over the last five games, averaging 47 boards a night. New Orleans, from a team perspective, has struggled on the glass in that same span. With Davis, Anderson and Asik hitting the boards for missed shots on their own end of the court, the Pelicans are a decent team at bringing in offensive rebounds, though the Blazers are one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the league. <br><br>New Orleans has a frontcourt rotation with the potential to its Portland counterparts trouble, as Lopez isn't particularly mobile. When Asik is in the game, Lopez should be able to hold his normal defensive positioning down low. With Anderson and Davis in, though, Stotts will be forced to find a man who can keep a hand in Anderson's face on the perimeter and a man to help keep a lid on Davis. This is no easy task, and you can expect to see plenty of time for Freeland and Kaman off the bench if Leonard gets the starting nod at power forward again. <br><br>The Blazers' backcourt will also have to deal with penetrating guards, as Holiday, Evans and to an extent, Rivers and Gordon, are all capable ball-handlers -- only Evans averages more than 2 turnovers a game. <br><br>If Portland can continue defending the three-point line well while holding down the paint and forcing the Pelicans into long 2-point jumpers, they'll have a chance defensively. The Blazers will also have to manufacture plenty of their own offense, as New Orleans is one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. Being short-handed tonight will challenge Portland against one of the up-and-coming young teams in the West, and the Pelicans are certainly a higher-calibre opponent than the reeling Nets were Saturday night. Don't be surprised to see a shootout tonight at the Moda Center.</p>
<p>-- Chris Lucia | bedgecast@gmail.com | <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLucia_BE" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Twitter</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2014/11/16/7232555/portland-trail-blazers-vs-new-orleans-pelicans-previewChris Lucia