Blazer's Edge - Complete Coverage: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta HawksThe ultimate coverage and analysis of the Portland Trail Blazershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47543/blazersedge-fave.png2015-01-04T00:14:49-08:00http://www.blazersedge.com/rss/stream/72482022015-01-04T00:14:49-08:002015-01-04T00:14:49-08:00Atlanta Loss Frustrating, Fun from Inside Arena
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<p>Special Correspondent Peter Sampson takes his first shot as our In-Arena correspondent. Ride the ups and downs of this game from inside the Moda Center!</p> <p>Tonight Special Correspondent Peter Sampson joins the Blazer's Edge team, giving you the view of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>' 115-107 tussle with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a>. Even though the Blazers came out on the wrong side of the scoreboard on this one, Mr. Sampson still found plenty of excitement in the proceedings. Welcome, Peter!</p>
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<p>Greetings Blazers Edge readers! I'm Peter and I am thrilled to be your Blazers in-arena correspondent over the next several games. I'm a long time die-hard Blazer fan, and a first year season ticket holder in section 333, row H, 1-2.</p>
<p>I got to the arena about an hour early to grab a bite to eat and visit the fan shop (side note: my wife has been wrestling with whether to pick up an Aldridge or Lopez jersey. Tonight she finally committed and picked up an LMA jersey in road black). I've got to hand it to the Blazers/Moda Center; the food selections this year are light years ahead of where they were a couple of years ago. Right outside my section, we have Bunk Sandwiches, Guacos Tacos, and The Pines. Tonight, I ventured a few sections down the concourse and had a fantastic pulled pork sandwich from Seven Rivers BBQ while watching <span>Dorell Wright</span> get up some corner 3's about 45 minutes before the opening tip.</p>
<p>This was the perfect night to start my contribution, because the game ball drop started in our section tonight! About 15 minutes before tip-off, they walked up and down the aisle and let us know the two simple rules. "Keep it moving, and don't let any Hawks fans touch the ball". I was on the lookout for Hawks jerseys, but I didn't see a single one all night. (Which makes sense, considering the team can't even draw fans in their home arena no matter how good they get.) Once the game ball started its way down, I knew I had to get my hands on it for just a second. Here's a shot right before it was passed to me. I wanted to take a selfie with it, but I'm pretty sure it would've been in poor taste to hold up the proceedings.</p>
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<p>Once the ball made it to the floor, it was time for the National Anthem. Brianna Williams, from Vancouver, did a fantastic rendition. I'm always a bit ho-hum about the interpretations, preferring the more straight-ahead versions, but Miss Williams pretty much owned it, nailing the high-pitched, song-closing acrobatics that cause so many singers to crash and burn.</p>
<p>The Blazers went with their typical high-energy "yelling" intro tonight. Probably the right call, considering the quality of the opponent. Here's Wes Matthews being introduced.</p>
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<p>Finally, tip off arrived and we were underway!</p>
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<p>The crowd was rocking early, with the Blazers opening up on an 8-0 run. It looked like it could be one of those nights where you just sit back and revel in the greatness that is Portland Trailblazers basketball.</p>
<p>Then the turnovers started.</p>
<p>Things got so bad, I was starting to wonder if I had wiped grease from my pulled pork sandwich on the ball. But they HAVE to towel it off first, right? They must. I mean, <span>Marcus Camby</span> wouldn't even high-five people with the front of his hand, and he was fine using the crowd-produced game ball.</p>
<p>During a timeout toward the end of the first quarter, we were treated to a nice tribute to LaMarcus Aldridge's Blazer career on the big screen. It was clearly to encourage fans to vote for him for the all-star game, but it was really well done and received applause throughout the arena. It was good timing too, because on the sidelines Stotts was clearly giving it to Kaman about his defense as he walked toward the bench. I'm not sure what was going on with Chris tonight (turnovers, bad defense, no boxing out), but he looked horribly out of sorts in the first half and was visibly frustrated while Stotts was talking to him. Fans were getting audibly frustrated with him as well during his first half stint.</p>
<p>The crowd wanted badly to get into the game, and when the Blazers closed the gap in the final 2 minutes of the half, we got LOUD. Incidentally, there was a lot of chanting coming out of Sections 331/332 for the entire game, including a successfully maintained DE-FENSE chant 11 seconds into the game (surely some sort of January record). Their enthusiasm spilled over to the rest of our side of the arena every time the Blazers made a run.</p>
<p>The ups and downs of the second half are chronicled in the game recap, but the most notable moment of the second half occurred when <span>Joel Freeland</span> injured his shoulder while blocking a <span>Paul Millsap</span> dunk attempt. On the replay it looked like an elbow to me, but either way the crowd was clearly concerned. Not only for Joel, but for the possibility that we may be without Freeland and <span>Robin Lopez</span> for an extended period of time.</p>
<p>It says a lot about this team that even being down 20 in the second half and I'm still slightly surprised that we lost. All in all it was what you would expect from a Blazer game. Exciting, spirited, and EVER so slightly frustrating. I look forward to taking out our frustrations on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> on Monday. I'm curious to see if the crowd gets up for it like a typical Lakers-Blazers matchup, or if we simply boo Kobe and enjoy being light years ahead of his team. Either one works.</p>
<p>Non-Game Notes:</p>
<p>It was Robin Lopez "Fropez" night. A lot of great Rolo fros (say that 5 times fast). Here were a couple of "fro bros" after the game.</p>
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<p>KD Lang was in the house, and tried to get the crowd hyped up when they showed her on the big screen.</p>
<p>Leupold honored Navy seaman SN Kevin Vides during a second half timeout.</p>
<p>They did a "Name That Tune" segment with various Blazers. <span>Chris Kaman</span> is the only Blazer who knows "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons. I don't know why, but I'm cool with that.</p>
<p>They held the famous Toyota half-court shot contest tonight. I didn't catch the contest participant's name, but I do know that he was wearing a Dorell Wright jersey. He didn't have the same shooting stroke, however, as his attempt at a new Corolla cleared the backboard by about 25 feet. C'est la vie.</p>
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<p>Or, perhaps as a consolation prize, c'est la VW?</p>
<p>Thanks to Peter for a rousing first In-Arena report of the new year and his two-week tenure. We're looking forward to Monday night at the Moda Center versus the Los Angeles L*kers.</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/4/7489699/portland-trail-blazers-vs-atlanta-hawks-view-from-the-moda-centerDave DeckardPeterSampson2015-01-03T23:18:48-08:002015-01-03T23:18:48-08:00Bad Defense Foils Good Comeback Against Hawks
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<p>Both the Blazers and Hawks sported All-Star power forwards, scoring point guards, and three-point shooting wings tonight. Defense made all the difference as the Blazers lost the game and Joel Freeland.</p> <p>All season long we've been asking how much an opposing team would need to put the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> down by in order to pin a loss on them at home. Time after time the Blazers have managed Harry Houdini escapes from big-time deficits, chained up and all but drowning on the scoreboard only to come back at the last second for the victory. Tonight the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> defense slapped on a lock the Blazers couldn't pick their way out of. The answer to our "how much" question turned out to be 20 points in the late third period as the Blazers succumbed to Atlanta 115-107.</p>
<p>The one glance at that final score will tell you that defense was an issue for the Blazers in this game. The Hawks average 102 a night. They've exceeded their 115-point total only once in regulation this year. They had their way with Portland, pure and simple.</p>
<p>How bad was it? You can stare all day at their 41-point-per game-scoring average in the paint but you better have a Vulcan's second eyelid if you want to look at their production tonight. The Hawks posted 64 in the key plus another 23 from the foul line. That's 87 points on short shots and freebies in a game where Portland scored 107 total.</p>
<p>If you're guessing big-man dominance led to the Hawks' success, you're partially right. <span>Paul Millsap</span> shot 11-17 for 27 points, <span>Al Horford</span> 6-12 for 13. But Atlanta's wings scored just as prolifically. <span>Jeff Teague</span>, <span>DeMarre Carroll</span>, and <span>Thabo Sefolosha</span> hit a single three-pointer between them, yet combined for 46 points. They made hash of Portland's defense, scoring on drives and free throws.</p>
<p>The root cause of Portland's inability to contain penetration was over-reliance on switches. Their approach made sense on paper. Atlanta excels beyond the arc, not so much in the key. Until the lid came off this game and the Blazers were forced to sag in on penetration, they did a good job covering Hawks shooters. Credit switching for that. But switches also left <span>Nicolas Batum</span> and <span>Dorell Wright</span> on Millsap, <span>Joel Freeland</span> on Teague, Steve Blake on...anybody. The Hawks played smart, taking what the defense gave them.</p>
<p>And the Blazers gave like Coach Mike Budenholzer was standing courtside with a bell and a red bucket.</p>
<p>Atlanta's defense was not so charitable. They harried the Blazers at every turn, at times looking like they knew where Portland would try to score before the Blazers themselves did. Portland committed 7 turnovers in the first quarter, 18 for the game. Open looks came intermittently, usually as part of huge runs. Otherwise the Blazers depended on hitting threes and praying. Plenty of those prayers got answered. The Blazers made a dizzying array of improbable triples in the first half to stay afloat. But you didn't have to see too many banked 23-footers and step-backs over fingertips to know that it was sweet sauce covering rancid meat. Even with Portland firing at an impressive 39% pace there weren't enough threes on the planet to keep up with the Hawks' layup parade.</p>
<p>To their credit and the delight of the Moda Center crowd, the Blazers did manage their standard fiery comeback after getting down by 20 with 3:00 to go in the third. <span>Damian Lillard</span> scored 8 as the quarter closed, including this buzzer-beater:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GjM2m7xIYHA?rel=0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>That stunner left the score 83-75 entering the fourth.</p>
<p>Having watched 20 points turned to single digits in a flash, all of Blazer Nation was prepared for an another amazing finish. But no matter how many three-pointers they hit, offensive rebounds they converted, or turnovers they forced, the Blazers still couldn't keep the Hawks out of the lane or off the line. <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> put Portland within 5, 106-101, on a rebound stick-back with 1:57 remaining. The next three Hawks possessions read: Teague layup, Carroll free throws, Teague 7-foot floater. The forward progress the Blazers generated was negated quickly.</p>
<p>As a result of their patented come-from-behind tidal wave Portland scored 32 in the final period...plenty enough for a comeback except the Hawks <i>also</i> scored 32. They did it slower, with less fanfare, but all those points still counted.</p>
<p>That was the story of the evening. Atlanta defended big, attacked Portland's small lineup with gusto, absorbed everything the Blazers could dish out, and still came out ahead. The moral of the story: you've gotta defend. If you don't, you can't expect to win all your contested games against good opponents.</p>
<p>Just 90% of them or so (so far, anyway).</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Fun With Numbers</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Worth saying again: Atlanta wins the paint battle 64-38 (and at one point the margin hovered around 52-18).</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Atlanta 31-12 on free throw attempts, 23-10 on free throws made.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Portland 18 turnovers for 23 Hawks points</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--Atlanta 51% shooting, Portland 45%...though the Blazers did put up 93 shots to 84 for the Hawks. Portland likes that kind of margin regardless of relative percentages.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">--The Blazers continued their assault on the arc, attempting 33 three-pointers, hitting 13.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Individual Notes</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Joel Freeland was injured in the fourth quarter trying to block a Paul Millsap dunk. <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7489407/video-joel-freeland-shoulder-injury-vs-atlanta-hawks" target="_blank">[Watch here.]</a> According to Trail Blazers PR <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7489595/joel-freeland-strained-shoulder-will-be-re-evaluated-in-2-weeks">an MRI revealed a strained shoulder</a> and his condition will be re-evaluated in 2 weeks.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">LaMarcus Aldridge scored 30 points on 14-25 shooting but the Hawks made him work on every possession from the catch through the shot and beyond. When they didn't double-team him Al Horford bodied him out and gave him a hard time. 12 rebounds and 2 blocks spoke well of LaMarcus' night. He just didn't get enough help.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Damian Lillard alternated between looking like the brilliant All-Star during Portland's big runs and looking like he was playing defense in the actual All-Star Game during the down moments. He scored 16 with 8 rebounds and 7 assists but he never got a handle on Teague and couldn't be disguised against anyone else.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Wesley Matthews</span> started the game stroking deep but cooled off severely and ended up shooting 4-11 from range and 5-15 overall en route to 19 points. Both he and Nicolas Batum (16 points, 2 steals, 3 turnovers) alternated between inspired, opportunistic defense and completely losing track of who they were guarding...if not physically at least intellectually. Even when switching wasn't an issue, both got caught on the wrong side of screens or with their heads turned the wrong way.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>Chris Kaman</span> played 15 minutes with 7 rebounds but once again failed to plug the hole in the middle of the defense. The Hawks swarmed him when he caught the ball inside and he could barely get a shot up. He attempted 4 shots overall compared to 3 turnovers.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If Kaman's game was underwhelming, <span>Steve Blake's</span> was brutal. The Hawks didn't respect him on either end of the court and he couldn't make them pay. Point guards went right at him. Defenders forced him into awkward dribbling and unproductive passing. It was a tough night for a usually-solid guy.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Dorell Wright canned 3-4 three-pointers for 10 points, leading the bench scoring by a mile. But he got smashed trying to guard power forwards, couldn't stay in front of perimeter players, and committed 4 fouls in 10 minutes of play.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Coach Terry Stotts emergency-plugged the already-huge Freeland hole with <span>Thomas Robinson</span> when Joel went down. T-Rob responded with 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers, and a bowl of mush otherwise in 10 minutes of play.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">CJ McCollum hit a couple shots in 8 minutes, <span>Allen Crabbe</span> did not.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Blazers will be angry <i>just</i> in time for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> to come to town on Monday night. That is a good thing. The Blazers will be the power blender, <span>Kobe Bryant</span> and company the fresh liver. Bring crackers for the pâté.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578793">Boxscore</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7488575/blazers-vs-hawks-final-score-portland-loses-freeland">Instant Recap </a>covers game flow, reaction to the Freeland injury, and more.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you thought the Toronto guys had reason to be proud the other night, check out <a href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</a> tonight. Their boys played one heck of a game.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for a sure-to-be-interesting In-Arena Report with a brand new correspondent later tonight!</p>
<p>You can phone in your questions to our upcoming podcast with Phil Naessens at <b>234-738-3394</b>.</p>
<p>--Dave blazersub@gmail.com / <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/davedeckard" target="_blank">@DaveDeckard</a> / <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://twitter.com/blazersedge" target="_blank">@Blazersedge</a></p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7489483/portland-trail-blazers-vs-atlanta-hawks-final-damian-lillard-paul-millsapDave Deckard2015-01-03T21:25:25-08:002015-01-03T21:25:25-08:00Blazers Lose Freeland to Injury; Fall to Hawks
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Portland was unable to fight off the best team in the Eastern Conference, and lost their starting center in the process with a shoulder injury.</p> <p>Losing the first game of the new year hurts. Losing another center could hurt even more.</p>
<p><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> had 30 points and 12 rebounds, <span>Damian Lillard</span> had 16 points and 7 assists, but the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a> fell at Moda Center to the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a>, 115-107, Saturday night, losing center <span>Joel Freeland</span> in the process.</p>
<p>The Blazers started out hot with an 8-0 run to kick off the game. <span>Nicolas Batum</span> and <span>Wesley Matthews</span> had two threes and six points a piece, but the wheels fell off in the second half of the quarter. Atlanta closed the period with an 18-3 run powered by seven Portland turnovers and the Hawks dominating the paint. With the Blazers unable to go without a turnover for long, Atlanta took a 29-20 lead after one.</p>
<p>The bad news for Portland in the second quarter was the turnovers continued to be a huge factor. <span>Steve Blake</span> and <span>Chris Kaman</span> had three each in the half, and the Blazers had 13 as a team at the break. The good news was that the threes were falling like rain. <span>Dorell Wright</span>, CJ McCollum, Blake and Matthews all hit threes in the quarter, the Blazers had nine total threes at halftime, shooting 56% from behind the arc as a team. Atlanta at one point scored on ten straight possessions, but when the shots stopped falling for the Hawks, the Blazers took advantage with key baskets by Aldridge. Portland got as close as one, but late free throws by <span>Paul Millsap</span> gave Atlanta a three point lead at the break.</p>
<p>Atlanta held serve after halftime, expanding their lead to as large as 20 off of a combined 9-of-10 shooting in the quarter by <span>Jeff Teague</span> and Millsap. Yet the Blazers refused to go down without a fight. Lillard finally got his shot to fall, shooting 3-of-4 in the quarter for eight points, including a buzzer-beater to end the quarter. Aldridge had eight as well, and the Blazers cut the lead to eight with one quarter to play.</p>
<p>The Hawks controlled the start of the fourth quarter, but the worst moment came with 9:09 remaining in the period. Paul Millsap went up for a dunk and Freeland blocked it, but <a href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7489407/video-joel-freeland-shoulder-injury-vs-atlanta-hawks" target="_blank">had his shoulder twisted back awkwardly</a> from the momentum. Freeland was in clear pain and went to the locker room immediately. He did not return.</p>
<p>Without Freeland, the Hawks took advantage of the smaller Portland lineup to extend their lead. Aldridge led a rally late, scoring 12 in the period and helping the Blazers cut the lead to as little as six, but Atlanta pulled away in the final minute.</p>
<p>Dorell Wright had 10 points off the bench. Matthews had 19 and Batum had 16.</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578793">BOX SCORE</a></p>
<p><b>Gameday Thread Comments of the Night</b></p>
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<p>You know? I'm so used to winning I feel like the Spurs. "Oh we actually lost one?"<br>by <b>BlazersConga</b></p>
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<p>Well. We all knew we were going to lose some games against good teams while we don't have Rolo. Let’s not forget how crazy good the last road trip was. It’s ok to lose some games like this, it’s going to happen. The homestand is long and some weaker teams are coming, so we’ll be alright.</p>
<p>What matters now is Freeland’s injury.</p>
<p>by <b>Showtime14</b></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Post-Game Reaction</b></p>
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<p>Stotts had no more info on Freeland's shoulder injury.</p>
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikegrich/status/551615687320281089">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>Freeland still getting an exam....hurt his right shoulder. Still no word on the severity <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/551618647366447105">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>. <a href="https://twitter.com/wessywes2">@wessywes2</a> said he felt the sole coming off his shoe in the second quarter. Came all the way off after he shot a three in the second half.</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/551618701976297472">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>I wouldn't expect an update on Joel Freeland's shoulder until tomorrow, but I've been wrong before.</p>
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) <a href="https://twitter.com/CHold/status/551619015991259136">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a> have allowed a total of 64 points in the paint in 3 of the last 4 games now... vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/76ers?src=hash">#76ers</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Raptors?src=hash">#Raptors</a> & tonight vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawks?src=hash">#Hawks</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/551621776220778496">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>Paul Millsap scored 22 of his 27 pts in the paint. Called playing down low "an in-game strategy" <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawks?src=hash">#Hawks</a> used</p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/551623390046343168">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>Millsap on his relationship with Matthews: "It's a love, hate relationship. He's my brother. " <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawks?src=hash">#Hawks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blazers?src=hash">#Blazers</a></p>
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/JabariJYoung/status/551623645399744512">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/aldridge_12">@aldridge_12</a>: "We were pretty passive as far as trying to take the fight to them." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlazersTalk?src=hash">#BlazersTalk</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers">@trailblazers</a></p>
— Jay Allen (@PDXjay) <a href="https://twitter.com/PDXjay/status/551624660140302336">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>S/O to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FropezNest?src=hash">#FropezNest</a>! Thanks for the support, Seriously THE BEST FANS IN THE NBA! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FropezArmy?src=hash">#FropezArmy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverSayDie?src=hash">#NeverSayDie</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPCITY?src=hash">#RIPCITY</a> <a href="http://t.co/tXOVL7BHF9">pic.twitter.com/tXOVL7BHF9</a></p>
— Robin Lopez (@rolopez42) <a href="https://twitter.com/rolopez42/status/551625890656829440">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>MRI confirms Portland F/C Joel Freeland sustained a right shoulder strain. He'll be reevaluated in two weeks.</p>— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrailBlazersPR/status/551626336104497152">January 4, 2015</a>
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<p>VIDEO: Chris Kaman <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2015/01/03/0021400501-atl-por-play1.nba/" target="_blank">dunks to complete a nice assist</a> from Steve Blake.</p>
<p>VIDEO: Nicolas Batum finishes off a fast break with a <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2015/01/03/0021400501-atl-por-play2.nba/" target="_blank">difficult layup</a>.</p>
<p>VIDEO: Damian Lillard beats the third quarter buzzer with a <a href="http://www.nba.com/video/games/blazers/2015/01/03/0021400501-atl-por-play5.nba/" target="_blank">three from well beyond the arc</a>.</p>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7488575/blazers-vs-hawks-final-score-portland-loses-freelandRyanASterling2015-01-03T20:57:31-08:002015-01-03T20:57:31-08:00Video: Joel Freeland Strains Shoulder, Out At Least 2 Weeks<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2oNNgErsYYE" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>
<div class="source source-img"><p><p>Joel Freeland strained his shoulder while attempting to block a dunk in the fourth quarter of the Portland Trail Blazers vs Atlanta Hawks. The Blazers report that he will be evaluated in two weeks.</p></p></div>
https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/3/7489407/video-joel-freeland-shoulder-injury-vs-atlanta-hawksTimmay!2015-01-03T17:30:01-08:002015-01-03T17:30:01-08:00CHAT: Surprising Hawks In Town Tonight!
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<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<div class="read-more">Tip-off: <b>7:00 pm</b><br>Watch: <b>CSN NW | League Pass<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: </b>For the Blazers, <b><span class="sbn-auto-link">Robin Lopez</span></b> is out until at least late January with a fractured hand. <b>Meyers Leonard</b> (shoulder sprain) will return tonight.</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/2015/1/3/7484299/gameday-thread-atlanta-hawks-vs-portland-trail-blazersTimmay!2015-01-02T21:38:48-08:002015-01-02T21:38:48-08:00Blazers vs. Hawks Preview
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<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The No. 2 team in the West collides with the No. 1 team in the East tonight when the Blazers host the Atanta Hawks.</p> <p align="center"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> (24-8) vs. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> (26-7)<br>Saturday, January 3<br>Moda Center; Portland, OR | 7:00 p.m. PST | Local TV/Radio: CSNNWHD; 620 AM<br>Out for the Blazers:<span class="sbn-auto-link"> <span>Robin Lopez</span>, <span>Meyers Leonard</span> (day-to-day) </span>| Out for the Hawks: N/A<br>SBN Affiliate: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Peachtree Hoops</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 target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/2014/10/10/6961251/atlanta-hawks-2014-15-nba-season-preview">BE's 2014-15 Hawks 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 align="left">The Blazers host the Atlanta Hawks tonight in a matchup of the No. 2 team in the West and the No. 1 team in the East.</p>
<p align="left">Portland's players were able to pick up two days of rest after <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578765">defeating the </a><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">Raptors</a> at home Tuesday night, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2015/01/trail_blazers_return_to_practice_gear_up_for_atlan.html">not practicing this week until yesterday</a>. The Hawks, on the other hand, played in Utah last night and <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578784">notched a win</a> over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>.</p>
<p align="left">Atlanta features one of the most deft offenses in the league, as coach Mike Budenholzer's system emphasizes ball movement and <a target="_blank" href="http://hawkshoop.com/detailing-the-hawks-hot-outside-shooting/">attacks heavily from the three-point line</a>. The Hawks have averaged an uncharacteristic 97.6 points per game the last five, but that stat is a bit skewed due to a <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400578726">107-77 loss</a> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Bucks</a> last week that stands out like a sore-thumb on Atlanta's otherwise sterling schedule. On the season, they average over 102 points a night.</p>
<p align="left">The Hawks have a balanced offense that is set in motion by point guard <span>Jeff Teague</span>, who's averaged 17.3 points and 7 assists per game the last five. He gets to the rim for a third of his shots and is a great finisher, also boasting a reliable floater. Teague isn't much of a three-point shooter in general, but he's worse than usual lately, hitting just 21.4 percent of his threes the last five outings. He gets to the line often and usually cashes in on his free throws when he's there. Teague torched the Jazz last night for 26 points on 9-for-17 shooting.</p>
<p align="left">Power forward <span>Paul Millsap</span>, who had a rough night against Utah, has operated mostly in the paint the last five games and has a solid touch around the rim. He'll occasionally step out for threes, but he's been unable to connect on them consistently the last five games even though he's a 34.1 percent three-point shooter on the season. Millsap passes well from the power forward position and can draw foul shots when his attempts aren't falling.</p>
<p align="left">Center Al Horford isn't bad down low, but prefers to take midrange jumpers, where he's been good for 40 percent of his shots the last five games. In that time, over 82 percent of his scores have been assisted, the highest of the Hawks' top-three individual players. Like Millsap, Horford is a solid passer from the frontcourt and doesn't turn the ball over often.</p>
<p align="left">Starting guard <span>Kyle Korver</span> is the NBA's best three-point shooter this year at 52 percent from deep, but that number has dipped to 44.1 percent the last five games. Still, when a guy is shooting 44 percent from outside over a certain stretch and that's considered the <i>low end</i> of his capabilities, he's doing something right, and Korver is most certainly the Hawk's biggest threat from deep. He gets up almost seven three-pointers a game, most of them in catch-and-shoot situations.</p>
<p align="left">Wing DeMarre Carroll has been struggling with his shot lately, over half his 9.8 attempts per game the last five coming from deep where he's been good for just a third of them in that time. Carroll's shooting woes continued last night in Utah, but he's typically a dangerous threat from either corner and is due for a bounce-back game.</p>
<p align="left">Budenholzer typically goes about 10-deep with his rotation. Point guard <span>Dennis Schroder</span> gets to the rim and has hit two-thirds of his shots there the last five games. He's also a capable jumpshooter, particularly from the elbows. Guard Thabo Sefolosha rarely shoots but has hit half his threes the last five games and is capable near the basket.</p>
<p align="left">Forwards Elton Brand and <span>Mike Scott</span>, along with guard <span>Kent Bazemore</span>, round out the rotation Budenholzer employed last night against the Jazz. None of the three shoots particularly often, but Scott and Bazemore were more aggressive than usual at Utah, combining to go 5-of-14 from the field.</p>
<p align="left">Because tonight's game is the second half of a back-to-back for Atlanta, reserve point guard <span>Shelvin Mack</span>, forward <span>Mike Muscala</span> and big man <span>Pero Antic</span> may be pressed into action. Muscala and Mack have struggled from the field recently, while Muscala has only played just over five minutes total the last five games. Typically, though, he's great inside with limited attempts and can hit the midrange jumper with regularity.</p>
<p align="left">Portland's defense is primed to slow down the Hawks' perimeter attack, as the Blazers have allowed opponents to shoot just 28 percent (No. 2 in the NBA) from outside the last five games. Overall, Portland has allowed just 42.1 percent shooting from the field in that time, also good for second in the league. They've been the best team at halting easy ball movement in that span and have allowed just 98 points per game.</p>
<p align="left">The Blazers' offense, meanwhile, is putting up over 105 points per outing the last five. They're average at collecting assists and haven't shot particularly well from inside the arc, but they've gotten up almost 35 three-pointers a game the last couple weeks and have made 42.2 percent of them. Portland's gotten a bit turnover-prone recently, and Atlanta is capable of forcing them in bunches, so the Blazers need to value possessions tonight or they may cough up the ball often against an opportunistic Hawks defense.</p>
<p align="left">Portland got 49 combined points from point guard <span>Damian Lillard</span> and power forward <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> in the win over the Raptors Tuesday, though Lillard struggled with his shot all night until the waning minutes of regulation and into overtime. Aldridge has played in just two of the last five games due to an upper respiratory illness, but he's ostensibly recovered now. Lillard has tried over nine threes a game the last five, making 37 percent of them. His jumper has been going in at a solid rate, and he's made about 61 percent of his attempts at the basket the last couple weeks.</p>
<p align="left">Guard Wesley Matthews, the league-leader in three-pointers made so far this season, has attempted over 10 outside shots a game the last five and has nailed a ridiculous 50 percent of them. For the season he's at 40.2 percent from deep, so he's riding a pretty hot streak into a game against an opponent that hasn't defended the three-point line well lately.</p>
<p align="left">Small forward <span>Nicolas Batum</span> went 4-of-11 from the field against Toronto, but he's attempted 7.5 shots per game the last five. The good news for Batum is that he appears to be out of a recent extended shooting slump, making 53.3 percent of his field goals and 47.1 percent of his threes the last five games. He has a small sample size of shots at the rim in that time, but Batum has been a good scorer at the basket when he's tried. His assist numbers aren't where they were earlier in the season, but don't be surprised to see Batum return to his facilitator role tonight, especially if his shots aren't falling.</p>
<p align="left">Big man <span>Joel Freeland</span> has earned his starting position in place of injured center Robin Lopez, but he rarely looks for his own shot and hasn't scored very consistently when he has. Instead, reserve <span>Chris Kaman</span> comes off the bench and provides scoring from the center position. His jumpshot has been slightly off lately, but Kaman can score at the rim and supplies a presence down low offensively that Freeland doesn't.</p>
<p align="left">Portland coach <span>Terry Stotts</span> went with a very short rotation Tuesday night, inserting just nine men. Lillard, Matthews, Batum and Aldridge all played at least 41 minutes as forwards <span>Thomas Robinson</span> and <span>Victor Claver</span>, along with guards <span>Will Barton</span> and <span>Allen Crabbe</span>, all collected DNP-CDs. Reserve guard CJ McCollum saw just five minutes of court time. Point guard <span>Steve Blake</span> has averaged over 23 minutes a game the last five but both his shooting and assist numbers are down in that time. Robinson, Crabbe and forward <span>Dorell Wright</span> -- who's played in five straight games after sitting at the edge of Stotts' rotation for much of the early season -- are all struggling from the floor recently. McCollum has shot well, but that's been in limited attempts. Big man Meyers Leonard missed the Toronto game with a shoulder injury, his status for tonight unknown.</p>
<p align="left">The Hawks' defense allows fairly easy ball movement, but they defend well down low, inside the arc and in transition. Atlanta gives up plenty of three-pointers at a high percentage, so the Blazers should look to continue their hot shooting from the perimeter. Don't be surprised to see both Lillard and Matthews attempt 10+ three-pointers each tonight if recent history is any indication.</p>
<p align="left">Both teams rebound well defensively but haven't been great on the offensive glass lately. Millsap is a good individual rebounder and Carroll is great on the boards from the wing, but Horford is pretty underwhelming for a center. Freeland, Kaman, Robinson and Aldridge lead the charge for Portland in the rebounding department, and only Carroll presents a difficult matchup, as Batum hasn't been nearly as aggressive on the glass recently and will have to step up tonight to keep Carroll at bay.</p>
<p align="left">The Hawks are soaring right now, having won three games in a row and 17 of their last 19. The Blazers carry a four-game winning streak into tonight's matchup with Atlanta, though, and have gone 9-1 over their last 10. Expect to see plenty of three-pointers tonight from both teams. Portland's defense has been great lately, but Atlanta's has been solid as well.</p>
<p align="left">If the Blazers can play the passing lanes with purpose and cut off some of the Hawks' ball movement tonight, Atlanta would be forced to score off the dribble more often, which isn't its strong point. Still, that's easier said than done, and the Hawks can attack from multiple points on the court, led by Teague, Millsap, Horford and Korver, all of whom can carry the scoring load if necessary.</p>
<p>-- Chris Lucia | bedgecast@gmail.com | <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ChrisLucia_BE" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Twitter</a></p>
<p align="left"><i>(Note: This preview was started when Atlanta's game with the Jazz was in progress last night, and therefore all cumulative statistics are from the five games prior).</i></p>
<p align="left"><i>Sam Tongue's New year's Resolutions for the Blazers:</i></p>
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https://www.blazersedge.com/2015/1/2/7483871/portland-trail-blazers-vs-atlanta-hawks-previewChris Lucia