Game Thread Playoffs Round 1, Game 3: Blazers vs Spurs (1-1) (Fri 04/26/2026) [9:30 CDT]

Mugen said:
The crunch time offense without Vic goes stagnant because Fox didn't / doesn't deliver. Pretty simple as that tbh. He needs to be better.
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IMO, sometimes it’s just good offense, better defense. We’re not giving enough credit to Scoot, Clingan, and Camara last night. They played lockdown defense.

Those three played above their average, especially for Scoot on offense. If that kind of performance continues, the basketball gods must be on their side. But I doubt it will continue.
 
They have the talent to beat Portland without Vic but not sure if that's enough to overcome the pressure of a hostile, playoff environment. Gotta be gritty and determined even if to a maniacal degree.
I'd be pleasantly surprised if they can win both but eking out a win would be most welcome and just in time hopefully for Vic to rejoin and put the clamps back on on this pesky, increasingly-annoying Blazers team.
 
tearsofmorningdew said:
They’re also hacking tf out of is without us getting any calls at all. It’s disgusting to watch
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Man, if you think that was bad, it’s going to be worse against the Nuggets and the Thunder. What Blazers are doing is mild physicality, at least this is just my opinion from what I’ve seen before… like I get ultra pissed off when I see Dort pull some shit off. The Blazers are doing nothing near as bad.
 
Mugen said:
The crunch time offense without Vic goes stagnant because Fox didn't / doesn't deliver. Pretty simple as that tbh. He needs to be better.
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He's got to play like he normally does and move the ball. I think he might feel like in crunch time he has to be Mr. Clutch because of the hype and the money he's paid. I could be wrong, but it seems like he gets surrounded quickly and can't move the ball. He shoots when he is double teamed and the results are usually not good.
 
spurs10 said:
He's got to play like he normally does and move the ball. I think he might feel like in crunch time he has to be Mr. Clutch because of the hype and the money he's paid. I could be wrong, but it seems like he gets surrounded quickly and can't move the ball. He shoots when he is double teamed and the results are usually not good.
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Disagree tbh. If an easy pass it there then go for it. But he needs to drive the ball and either get a layup, draw the foul, or hit the middy. He hasn't been doing that at the level we need him to so far.
 
Id rather see olynyck get the relief minutes when kornet sits…olynyck is crafty and knows how to be effective in minimum minutes…

Even olynck and cb would be a good change of pace
 
It’s totally possible for the Spurs to go and fuck up the Blazers first playoff game at home. They usually respond well after a loss. Finish strong at the rim. Get physical back and play smart D. They’re streaky from downtown so their 3pt percentage should be better next game. Maybe not 40 or 50%, just better than 29%. They’ll also have to withstand the Blazers at home punch in the first quarter.
 
Mugen said:
Disagree tbh. If an easy pass it there then go for it. But he needs to drive the ball and either get a layup, draw the foul, or hit the middy. He hasn't been doing that at the level we need him to so far.
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Yes, yes, and yes. I've been advocating for him to use his speed and drive the ball a lot more. I'm referring to him getting trapped on the perimeter which would lessen if he's driving to the basket more often, drawing fouls and taking the "middy" before they collapse on him.
 
brazil said:
The other issue is that our guards got used to playing around Victor gravity on offense, they don't have it anymore that's another challenge right there.

Nevertheless this team had also some quality wins without Victor all year long, besides it is not like Portland has a roster full of POs experienced players except for Jrue and they are also playing without their star player.

Even without Victor losing this serie would be a disapointment. Spurs have the talents to overcome the challenge. Fox was also brought in to be that veteran presence and to a lesser extend Barnes, it is up to them to find a way to help our young guys to calm the fuck down and execute.
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I agree, without Wemby in the paint, our guards don't look as good as they are when he is around, which is kind of concerning a little bit. Are we putting them on a pedestal too early when a lot of their penetration comes from being around Wemby? Kind of like CP3 making player like Deandre Jordan look much better than he really was
 
Fox had a nice 10 game stretch 1st half of March.

I thought he will do same come playoffs time as its by design that he is giving ball away more to young players.

Towards the end of season Mitch wants Fox to get involved more but he never came to that March form.

Thats where I started worrying about him.
 
Another complaint I have about Mitch is Castle started season like this ramming into the players and not scoring much.

They almost went away from those by him taking lot of mid range jumpers and 3 points shots and O is beautiful as hell.

Again he went back to his bad old habits.
 
frenchfred said:
I agree, without Wemby in the paint, our guards don't look as good as they are when he is around, which is kind of concerning a little bit. Are we putting them on a pedestal too early when a lot of their penetration comes from being around Wemby? Kind of like CP3 making player like Deandre Jordan look much better than he really was
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When I say something like this, the rage from the emotional stans come from out of the woodwork. Then they'll come back and say something similar in another thread.
 
I just rewatched Scoot's 31 points and made a few observations. Scoot is definitely playing out of his ass against the Spurs. Almost all of the shots he made against the Spurs were contested with a clear hand in his face and he still made them. Now the worst defender on him was Fox. In 3 instances where Fox guarded him he managed to get an open shot or a lay up. There was one play where a screen was set against Fox and he got wide open without Fox being able to contest him and hit a 3. Another play he just drove by Fox for the uncontested layup. Then there was another play where he drove by Fox and Kornet challenged his layup but he still made it. Outside of those Fox defensive miscue plays and one fast break play he got his points all on contested shots.

I really don't know how the Spurs get him out of this zone. Maybe with a long few days off he might suddenly come back to earth. Usually when your this hot you don't want go a few days without playing.
 

See this game and shot selection. Even OKC games where we won.

Castle can shoot as well. Its entirely different when he is not taking ball to basket aggressively.

This team can still play at very very very high level if they play for each other. Pass pass pass…
 
OK Computer said:
Man, if you think that was bad, it’s going to be worse against the Nuggets and the Thunder. What Blazers are doing is mild physicality, at least this is just my opinion from what I’ve seen before… like I get ultra pissed off when I see Dort pull some shit off. The Blazers are doing nothing near as bad.
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Fully aware. Our guys need to start throwing elbows, stomping on ankles etc. if they’re gonna call BS at least make it count
 
Is Scoot going to continue the trend of out playing all our guards? If so it could get scary...
 
gospursgo91 said:
Rather see KO out there
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Same here. I've seen enough of Plumlee to make think that was a Bryn Forbes level signing (a colossal waste of time). No thanks. I'd rather Kelly if the choice was between the two (not that it's a great choice either, but I just trust Kelly more).
 
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