Portland Trail Blazers are 3rd in the West

[DJ]

Playing the second game of a back-to-back probably also had an effect on the Thunder.

Exactly.

 

[bksballer89]

Portland 3-0 vs OKC

 

[DJ]

Nothing i hate more than a poster trying to rain on another poster parade for feeling good about his overachieving team.

Portland O/U win total was 40.5

Every Blazers fan should feel amazing about how good they been this year

 

[thunderc]

That Lillard & McCollum combo is tough to beat if they are hitting shots. Nurkic is a goon though.

 

[bksballer89]

Yup, if last nights game against the Thunder had been in OKC they likely would be in 7th and the Thunder would be in 3rd.

His entire OP is about how close 3-10 are in the west

 

[bksballer89]

That Lillard & McCollum combo is tough to beat if they are hitting shots. Nurkic is a goon though.

Collins went to work last night

 

[DJ]

2 games separates the 3rd seed from the 8th seed.

 

[trojanfan12]

I agree with your thoughts on D'Antoni. But just think the Rockets have the youth and athletic ability and system to hang better with the Warriors than the Spurs.

There is some truth to that. However, to beat the Warriors, the Rockets have to be able to "out-Warriors" them. I don't think they can. A healthy Spurs can attack them in ways the Rockets can't.

 

[tlance]

There is some truth to that. However, to beat the Warriors, the Rockets have to be able to "out-Warriors" them. I don't think they can. A healthy Spurs can attack them in ways the Rockets can't.

I agree for the most part.

I think the biggest difference is that the Warriors will bring their A game defensively every night. I just don't see the Rockets winning more than 2 games against playoff Warrior effort. I don't see the Spurs doing that either, especially with rusty Kawhi. And, let's be honest here. It is not a given that the Spurs even make the playoffs given their current injury situation. But, I do agree that the Spurs threaten the Warriors in ways that the Rockets can't, even though the Rockets are clearly the superior team.

It will be extremely interesting to see where SA ends up. Something tells me that Pop may try to manipulate his seeding with a couple DNPs to avoid the Dubs if comfortably ahead of 9.

 

[bksballer89]

Biggest difference about this Portland team compared to last year is they play defense.

7th in DEF EFF. Last year they finished 21st in DEF EFF. Also made a huge jump from 25th in OPP PPG last year to virtually tied for 5th in OPP PPG with Toronto this year. Lastly, they're 4th in OPP FG%. The only west team better than them in that statistic are the Warriors.

It is amazing what a huge jump in your defense can do when you're a solid team.

Believe it or not, their OFF EFF was better last year

 

[OregonDucks]

There is some truth to that. However, to beat the Warriors, the Rockets have to be able to "out-Warriors" them. I don't think they can. A healthy Spurs can attack them in ways the Rockets can't.

Good point. Trying to beat the Warriors at their own game is difficult.

Although the Spurs bring a different type of game, and are extremely well coached, I just don't think they have the depth to win a series vs the Warriors.

 

[msgkings322]

Good point. Trying to beat the Warriors at their own game is difficult.

Although the Spurs bring a different type of game, and are extremely well coached, I just don't think they have the depth to win a series vs the Warriors.

This is why the Warriors are still favored to win a title. Spurs just don't have it this year, and while the Rockets will be a very tough series, the Ws should win

 

[trojanfan12]

I think the biggest difference is that the Warriors will bring their A game defensively every night. I just don't see the Rockets winning more than 2 games against playoff Warrior effort. I don't see the Spurs doing that either, especially with rusty Kawhi. And, let's be honest here. It is not a given that the Spurs even make the playoffs given their current injury situation. But, I do agree that the Spurs threaten the Warriors in ways that the Rockets can't, even though the Rockets are clearly the superior team.

It will be extremely interesting to see where SA ends up. Something tells me that Pop may try to manipulate his seeding with a couple DNPs to avoid the Dubs if comfortably ahead of 9.

Agree with all of this. The Rockets are better than the Spurs, but it's all about the matchups and imo, a healthy Spurs creates more matchup problems for the Warriors than the Rockets. I don't see either of them actually beating the Warriors, but I'd give healthy Spurs a better chance. Plus the Spurs have Pop.

It would absolutely be a "Pop thing" to try to manipulate the playoff seeding. He's the master of that. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Good point. Trying to beat the Warriors at their own game is difficult.

Although the Spurs bring a different type of game, and are extremely well coached, I just don't think they have the depth to win a series vs the Warriors.

Truth to tell, I don't see either of them beating the Warriors. I just give the Spurs a better chance if they are healthy.

 

[tducey]

Good for the Blazers but the 3rd spot in the West is thisclose. Just 1 game between 3rd and 7th in the West right now.

 

[rmilia1]

The East is not too dissimilar . Tge 3 seed Cleveland has only a 3 game lead on the 8 seed Heat. Imagine a first round of Cavs vs Celtics . Could easily happen