GDT: game 74 - Blazers (33-39) at Mavs (43-30) TNT/FSSW

[EricaLubarsky]

Two games left and this one is a B2B for us but not the Blazers.

Blazers come in hot at 5-2
Mavs 4-3, but 3-1 in last 4.

Mavs cannot climb to 6 or drop to 8, so this game does nothing for us but build confidence.

Trailblazers are a half-game back of the Grizzlies for the 8th seed and they're desperate to get into the playoffs. Luckily Grizzlies have been ice cold and have gone 1-6 to close the season.

Blazers have reason to play. Mavs are tired from the b2b and have no reason to win.

Injury report
DFS- hip - probable
Doncic - reasons - probable
KP - reasons - probable
Lee - leg - out for this game and Suns
Powell - Achilles - out
Brunson - shoulder - out
WCS - family - out

Whiteside - hip - probable
Swanigan - opt out - out
Ariza - opt out - out
Hood - Achilles - out

[SMC0007]

This has potential to be a great game for playoff experience intensity. It's a must win for the Blazers. It would be easy to give it the old college try early and then pack it in later (specifically with step back 3's) but that's not going to do anything for our learning curve.

[BPo001]

Obviously I want the Mavs to win, but I also want to see Portland get in the playoffs. I think that would be a great series to watch vs the Lakers. I think the Lakers would sweep Memphis.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Obviously I want the Mavs to win, but I also want to see Portland get in the playoffs. I think that would be a great series to watch vs the Lakers. I think the Lakers would sweep Memphis.

Anything that makes the Lakers cry.

I could see Dame dropping 50 in every game and Davis asking for a trade.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Obviously I want the Mavs to win, but I also want to see Portland get in the playoffs. I think that would be a great series to watch vs the Lakers. I think the Lakers would sweep Memphis.

I'm most interested in Morant vs Lillard in the play in game(s)...more so than either winner facing Lakers. I think it's going to be 4-1 at best, and as quick as the Mavs exit vs Clips in first round.

[MFFL]

Originally Posted by BPo001

Obviously I want the Mavs to win, but I also want to see Portland get in the playoffs. I think that would be a great series to watch vs the Lakers. I think the Lakers would sweep Memphis.

And none of the games would be within 20 points. The Lakers would crush them

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by MFFL

And none of the games would be within 20 points. The Lakers would crush them

You think the Lakers beat Portland by 20+ 4 games? I think Portland would actually match up with them pretty well.

[MFFL]

The Laker would beat Memphis 4 times and I think all of them would be blowouts

[rimrocker]

Is this game televised?
Can’t find it anywhere on DirecTV and I live in Dallas.

[MFFL]

TNT

The network shifted our game to prime time and kicked the original one off

[KillerLeft]

It's pretty rad that the NBA is making this work, so far. I'm really happy to have basketball back.

[Skywalker]

Good start

[KillerLeft]

Pretty solid start!

[KillerLeft]

Burke really is a solid iso scorer. I don't remember him being this effective his first time through town.

[KillerLeft]

I heart KP

[MFFL]

KP is looking lively today - the day off must have energized him

[EricaLubarsky]

Dame jumping into people and pissed he's not getting the call

[EricaLubarsky]

Jackson not amazing

[EricaLubarsky]

embarassing end to that quarter

[EricaLubarsky]

Mavs know this game doesn't matter

[MFFL]

That was a disappointing way to end a quarter

[EricaLubarsky]

15-0 is not going to get it done

[KillerLeft]

Not a great close to the quarter. Luka didn't respond well to the extra defensive gear Portland switched into.

I can't wait for him to get an NBA playoff series under his belt. Maxi, DFS, too.

[NeedlesKane]

If Mavs beat the 7-0 (bubble) Suns... imagine our confidence going into the playoffs!

[NeedlesKane]

Is 00 related to Meta World Peace?

[KillerLeft]

Luka just hasn't seen NBA playoff style defense yet, even with all of his amazing experience. He's taking risks that don't pay off in these circumstances.

[EricaLubarsky]

Dodo is starting to be the 3-D guy I thought he could be

[EricaLubarsky]

Wright is hhot dog crap

[MFFL]

And that turnover will be the last time Boban plays today

[KillerLeft]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

Dodo is starting to be the 3-D guy I thought he could be

I legit think he's the third most important player on this team. I'm a huge believer.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by MFFL

And that turnover will be the last time Boban plays today

Unfortunately. Portland has size and knows how to use it

[MFFL]

Wow

The way coach was yelling I thought Boban was done

[KillerLeft]

Good decision by Jackson to drive there.

[EricaLubarsky]

Next game

[KillerLeft]

...and a ridiculous point plank miss by Jackson on that one.

[Rostick]

Why is everybody saying this game doesn't matter? If we win both games and either OKC loses its last two games OR Utah loses its last game, we avoid the Clippers. It`s a quite possible scenario if Mavs deliver on their end.

Or am I just too obsessed with not playing the Clippers?

[sefant77]

Yeah i dont get it...there is a great chance that the Spurs beat the Jazz in their last game, so 6th seed is still possible...

[KillerLeft]

As poorly as they're playing, the score COULD be much worse.

[sefant77]

Burke is a keeper. Hopefully for a vet minimum deal als Barea replacement.

[EricaLubarsky]

Maybe dont have KP defend Lillard every play