Open thread: Regular season game 9

by Mike Prada on Nov 17, 2007 4:43 PM EST in Game Threads

The essentials:
Trailblazers (4-5) vs. Wizards (3-5)
7 p.m.
Verizon Center
CSN

Last year:
February 11: Blazers 94, Wizards 73.
March 20: Blazers 100, Wizards 98.

Notable Blazers numbers this season (pound the salt):
18th in expected winning percentage (.357).
24th in pace factor (89.7 possessions per game).
20th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (104.3).
24th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (118.8).

Notable Blazers numbers last season
30th in expected winning percentage (.320).
29th in pace factor (87.2 posessions per game).
24th in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (105.9).
26th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (111.8).

Key links
Blazers Edge.
The Inferno.
Blazers Blog.
Blazers Edge game preview.
True Hoop blog preview.
The Inferno blog preview.

Starting lineups:
Blazers
PG: Jarret Jack
SG: Brandon Roy
SF: Martell Webster
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Channing Frye

Wizards
PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: DeShawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler
PF: Antawn Jamison
C: Brendan Haywood

Tonight's lines:
Blazers at Wizards: Wizards by 6
Over/Under on Big 3 scoring: 64.7 points.

This is going to be a tricky game. Portland gave us two of our worst losses last year, and we're coming off a game in Minnesota last night.

Portland had a gut-wrenching 92-88 loss in Philadelphia, but for the most part, they've played decently against a tough schedule. They already have wins over Detroit, Dallas, and New Orleans, for example. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are both averaging over 19 a game, and Martell Webster has been a revelation thus far at the small forward spot.

The thing about Portland is that they're a jump-shooting team. Last night, Joel Pryzbilla played only 10 minutes, meaning we saw a lot of Aldridge-Frye up front. That doesn't bode well for tall-ball, because do you really want Brendan Haywood chasing one of those two on the perimeter? It'll be interesting to see how Eddie responds.

Offensively, we have to drive the lane, especially with Pryzbilla not playing much. Aldridge is a phenomenal scorer, but he's not an incredible rebounder, and isn't much of a defensive presence. Butler also needs to keep driving, because without Ime Udoka, Portland doesn't have a wing stopper on their roster.

In the end, this should be interesting. A win here would say a lot about this team.

This is an open game thread, so remember Nate McMillan, and a young Dick Enberg, here.

GO WIZARDS!

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

GO ZARDS!

Nice preview and I forgot how painful both of those losses to the Blazers losses really were.

I just hooked up some tickets for the game in the Upper Section and I am on my way. I think the new scoreboard makes the upper deck bearable this season.

I hope Gil drops a triple double on Nate McMillan.
GO ZARDS!

What? They don't have TV in the D-League? Don't watch me, watch TV.

by Mac G on Nov 17, 2007 5:26 PM EST reply actions

Picka-a-roos

Blazers
Over

Bullets Forever: Your place for the very latest in Wizards news and PhD-level analysis.

by Jake Whitacre on Nov 17, 2007 5:59 PM EST reply actions

the second of back-to-back

even though- wiz, over

by thebigc1982 on Nov 17, 2007 6:08 PM EST reply actions

Blazers, Under

Second half of a back-to-back for both teams, but I think the Blazers are gonna be hungry after last night's embarrassing loss.

The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.

by mamemimo on Nov 17, 2007 6:43 PM EST reply actions

wiz, over

Gonna keep going with the Wizards. We looked good last night.

by finkad01 on Nov 17, 2007 7:01 PM EST reply actions

No Gil Tonight!

Knee a little sore - say it's precaution.

by thebigc1982 on Nov 17, 2007 7:03 PM EST reply actions

Steve Blake starting PG....Not the hometown man!

Hello there from Blazersedge land. I agree that last night's loss was extremely embarrassing. The young Blazers are an emotional roller coaster and put them into the first Big Loop. You really can't predict how they will come out tonight, but this is the first really big test for these youngsters. I cannot overestimate the importance this game will be for setting the emotional tone of the rest of the season.

Anyway, hopefully it will be entertaining for all!

Gametime...Go Blazers!

by Roydenridge on Nov 17, 2007 7:12 PM EST reply actions

Inconceivable

Who woulda thunk it - Haywood 9-9 freethrows.

I thought we were going to need a big game from Caron, but Antawn scored the 30 and 6 players scored in double figures.

39 bench points - 17 from Nick Young.

4 in a row - can we have 5?

by thebigc1982 on Nov 17, 2007 9:27 PM EST reply actions

Just back from the game

A couple of comments:
The defense IS better. They are switching much more cleanly, rotating quicker, and closing out on the shooter much, much better than last year.
The bench is better. Even when only using an 8 man rotation. Having guys who can shoot makes a big difference. And Blatche makes a difference on both sides of the court. Love it that he can hit the 12 foot jumper.
Haywood IS way better. 9 games in and he has maintained his intensity. Tonight he had 17 points, 10 boards and a consistent effort throughout.
Songaila is much better with a big man on the floor. His ability to hit the open jumper and move the ball is enhanced when he doesn't have to play down low. And he plays better on the defensive end with a big man to back him up.
Nick Young has some talent, although he took about 3 bad shots that would have been trouble in a close game. I hope that Eddie can find minutes for him in the regular rotation.
Attendance was a bit disappointing. Oh well, it always picks up when we play well. My section (417, in the upper deck) got a t-shirt toss. A guy down the row, gave the one he caught to my daughter. Nice gesture!

by hotplate on Nov 17, 2007 10:30 PM EST reply actions