OGT: Feb 1 Raptors (25-21) @ Trail Blazers (33-13)

[Legends66NBA7]

By popular demand...


People don't post in this one, just wait till Legends makes a thread and post in that one :cheers:

Game Links: http://gofirstrow.eu/sport/basketball.html

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20140201/TORPOR/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


The Portland Trail Blazers have failed in their last two opportunities to surpass last season's win total, part of a slump they're simply taking in stride.

Portland looks to get back on track by beating the visiting Toronto Raptors for the 10th time in the last 11 meetings Saturday night.

The Blazers (33-13) are a vastly improved team from the one that finished 33-49 last season, but they've dropped four of six after falling 98-81 to Memphis on Tuesday.

Portland is averaging a league-best 108.4 points per game, but has scored fewer than 90 in its last two and set a season low in points while shooting 34.5 percent against the Grizzlies.

LaMarcus Aldridge finished with 27 points and 16 rebounds while fellow All-Star Damian Lillard added 16 points.

"We're in a rough patch right now," Lillard said. "We're not shooting the ball very well and we've got to defend better. We've played so well, we were due for a rough patch and a little bit of adversity."

Wesley Matthews had eight points on 2-of-9 shooting for Portland, which had a five-game home winning streak snapped.

"We're fine. We know we weren't going to go undefeated this season," Matthews said. "We knew we were going to lose games. It's just our job to minimize the losses, stop the bleeding and get back to our winning ways."

The Blazers enter this contest after three days off, while Toronto comes in playing the second of a back-to-back after Friday's 100-90 win over Denver. Portland has won five straight home meetings with the Raptors.

"We've played a lot of games lately. We've done a lot of traveling. No one likes to use fatigue or the schedule as an excuse, but it is a reality," coach Terry Stotts said. "We need to catch our breath, get our bodies right and be ready to play Saturday."

Toronto (25-21) is a season-best four games above .500, winning three straight and five of six. DeMar DeRozan scored 19 points and Terrence Ross added 18 against the Nuggets to begin a five-game West Coast road trip.

The Raptors' 25-point lead dwindled, but they held on for the win.

"We will take the `W,' but it was not a quality finish," coach Dwane Casey said. "I let the players know I was disappointed in the close. You can't come in and feel like you have the game won with a 20-point lead. You have to continue to execute, be strong with the ball and continue to execute defensively if you want to be serious about winning in this league."

Jonas Valanciunas and Kyle Lowry added 13 points apiece, but Lowry said Toronto can't continue to let big leads slip away. The Raptors visit Utah, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers after this contest.

"We have to finish a lot better," Lowry said. "This is the NBA. Teams are going to make a run. We're not going to be negative. We won the game. But we have to finish better than that."

Toronto scored four points in the last 35 seconds of regulation to tie the last meeting with Portland, but Aldridge and Lillard had 25 points apiece to help the Blazers pull out a 118-110 overtime win Nov. 17.

The Raptors haven't won in Portland since Dec. 22, 2006.

[cos88]

i can wait for this game

[Legends66NBA7]

That's interesting. This is the ONLY game tonight where both teams are above .500.

Both have interesting styles, let's see which one prevails.

[kaiteng]

Now this is one of those stronger teams in the West. I predict it will go down to the wire. +-5.

[Legends66NBA7]

Now this is one of those stronger teams in the West. I predict it will go down to the wire. +-5.

Raptors have become such a better team in the 4th quarter recently, outside of last night's 4th quarter.

I don't think it should be as close as the last time these 2 teams met, but yeah, it does seem like it will go that way. I just I hope we don't go down too many points early since it's obvious we will be a bit more tired tonight.

[GoRapz]

Well it's kinda shitty how the Raps are coming off a flight from Denver where as Portland has rested for the past couple days. Hopefully the late start will give the Raps a bit of extra rest time though.

[Legends66NBA7]

Well it's kinda shitty how the Raps are coming off a flight from Denver where as Portland has rested for the past couple days. Hopefully the late start will give the Raps a bit of extra rest time though.

We've had breaks like that too this year.

Just have to come out well prepared and ready to go. Our whole team is healthy again and the last time we faced when Gay was still on the team, we took them to overtime. Let's see if the fortunes change.

[avonbarksdale]

think the raps will lose hope im wrong though

[EricGordon23]

I feel like derozan will poster robin lopez tonight

[Legends66NBA7]

I feel like derozan will poster robin lopez tonight

I hope he can keep getting to line at a high rate. DeMar needs to keep make it a habit to get to the line when his shots aren't falling.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bump.

Let's see if Toronto can go 2-0 tonight.

[MUGEN]

Should be a really fun game...unless our guys act like they just ran a marathon again. They just had a break so I'm hopeful they will be back on track

Very different raptors team to the one Blazers beat last time in Toronto..batum said the same in a recent interview so they are not underestimating them which is good to see

[EricGordon23]

Lets get her done raps!

[Grey Dawn]

I feel like derozan will poster robin lopez tonight

:D

Forget that, Ross will crotch-in-face slam Aldridge :eek:

[MUGEN]

:rockon:

[EricGordon23]

Not attacking the rim enough so far!

[Legends66NBA7]

Bench has to turn it around for us.

[MUGEN]

Blazers are showing up so far!

LMA! :bowdown:

10 points and 8 Rebounds already

[RoseCity07]

LaMarcus almost has a double double in just 9 minutes. 10 points and 8 rebounds.:bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

Defense isn't there right now.

[MUGEN]

LMA Double Double in the first Quarter! :applause:

[RoseCity07]

If Aldridge made his 4 wide open shots he would have 20 points and 10 rebounds in the first quarter.:oldlol:

It's like he is doing too well so he has to miss if he's open.

[33teeth]

11 shots for Aldridge in the 1st quarter! :lebronamazed:

[lpublic_enemyl]

i'll be suprised if this isn't a blow out. 4 days rest for blazers and raptors coming off a b2b, not to mention portland is a beast of team.

[RoseCity07]

11 shots for Aldridge in the 1st quarter! :lebronamazed:

Many of them were wide open jumpshots.

[RoseCity07]

I'm thinking Thomas Robinson is not going to last on this team if he keeps trying to score in the post. He has horrible footwork, maybe the worst I've seen in the NBA. He's too stupid to pass the ball back out for a better shot.

[Legends66NBA7]

Got to make these free throws.

Defense is starting to click, got to keep getting the line.

[33teeth]

I'm thinking Thomas Robinson is not going to last on this team if he keeps trying to score in the post. He has horrible footwork, maybe the worst I've seen in the NBA. He's too stupid to pass the ball back out for a better shot.

There's a reason he's on his 3rd NBA team. I hope he figures it out though!

[MUGEN]

Refs are fcking over the Blazers

[Legends66NBA7]

Refs are fcking over the Blazers

No, their just horrible overall.

[RoseCity07]

OMFOGMODJFDJEFSF DAMIAN LILLARD:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :

Westbrook or Lillard? GOD DAMN!

[MUGEN]

No, their just horrible overall.

yeah but Toronto got away with two calls back to back and Blazers got at least 2-3 really bad calls going against them

Stotts is one of the calmest coaches around..there's a reason why he is so pissed

Good thing is Lillard got fking pissed too! :bowdown:

[MUGEN]

Buy these refs some glasses ffs that was a nice steal by Wright

[brwnman]

Tired legs by the Raptors. If they don't come out with fire early in the second half, they should just put in the bench and save the starters.

[Legends66NBA7]

Raps gonna make it a game in the 2nd half, but we need some players to get hot from the field.

[MUGEN]

:applause: Good stuff Blazers. Bring that to the second half too

Thanks to all these fouls I guess Stotts will have no other choice but to unleash..the beast

MYERS! :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

yeah but Toronto got away with two calls back to back and Blazers got at least 2-3 really bad calls going against them

There's been questionable calls for both sides. Nobody is actually winning the refs favour, unless you attack the rim.

[MUGEN]

There's been questionable calls for both sides. Nobody is actually winning the refs favour, unless you attack the rim.

I'm sorry but you are blind if you can't see Blazers getting screwed over big time in the second Q

Not saying Toronto didn't get bad calls but the scale is way way tipped. And I usually avoid blaming refs. Pathetic stuff from refs tonight. Ghost calls on travels, steals, tech, fouls on blazers. And this was all in the second quarter alone.

I don't mind tho..it got the players fired up! Hopefully they bring that anger to the second half too

[Legends66NBA7]

Tired legs by the Raptors. If they don't come out with fire early in the second half, they should just put in the bench and save the starters.

I think the bench does a better job to keep them in the game.

[Legends66NBA7]

I'm sorry but you are blind if you can't see Blazers getting screwed over big time in the second Q

Did you even read my post ?

[MUGEN]

Fvuck Lillard is smiling! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[RoseCity07]

So many fouls.

[MUGEN]

By the fourth Q both team will only have Bench players to play the game :roll:

[RoseCity07]

Mike Barrett is such a f*cking troll. It was on Ross. He just wants it to be on the other guy because he wants Valanciunas to go to the bench.

[MUGEN]

Did you even read my post ?

Yes?


Batum playing well tonight :applause: Hopefully his finger has healed


and now THAT was a really bad call against Valen...lol they even reviewed it

[Legends66NBA7]

Yes?


Batum playing well tonight :applause: Hopefully his finger has healed


and now THAT was a really bad call against Valen...lol they even reviewed it

Okay, where did I say that Portland isn't getting screwed over on calls ? It's going both ways.

This game is reffed tight and they been so many wrong calls.

[MUGEN]

Okay, where did I say that Portland isn't getting screwed over on calls ? It's going both ways.

This game is reffed tight and they been so many wrong calls.

I think you haven't read my replies properly then. I agreed. I was saying Blazers got screwed over way way more than the Raptors and you disagreed. Hence my counter in the following reply.

I see no reason why you are confused :confusedshrug:

[Legends66NBA7]

Should have had Hayes on Aldridge a while ago.

[RoseCity07]

Joel Freeland is an embarrassment. I was convinced he was a changed player and he's gone right back to be a liability out there.:facepalm

[MUGEN]

buhahaha Myers is coming! I can sense it! :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

I think you haven't read my replies properly then. I agreed. I was saying Blazers got screwed over way way more than the Raptors and you disagreed. Hence my counter in the following reply.

I see no reason why you are confused :confusedshrug:

Fair enough, the blind comment kinda misleading.


Anyways, Raptors fighting back.

[MUGEN]

Fair enough, the blind comment kinda misleading.


Anyways, Raptors fighting back.

yep my bad..that was uncalled for on my part :cheers:

Raptors getting back in the game in a huge way

Mo 0 points :facepalm

edit: scratch that he made a clutch 3! lol

[RoseCity07]

No one can stop Aldridge. He's been missing his open shots all night. It's the only reason he doesn't have 35 and 15 right now.

[Legends66NBA7]

yep my bad..that was uncalled for on my part :cheers:

Raptors getting back in the game in a huge way

Mo 0 points :facepalm

It's all good, we all get caught up sometimes. :cheers:



Lowry and DeRozan, all-stars leading the comeback, but Portland back to back huge 3's to end the 3rd.

Going to be a fun 4th, hopefully Raps got enough left in the chamber.

[Legends66NBA7]

No one can stop Aldridge. He's been missing his open shots all night. It's the only reason he doesn't have 35 and 15 right now.

Hayes is doing a good job trying force him out of his comfort zone. Wouldn't mind Aldridge just jacking up mid-range jump shots right now.

[MUGEN]

WES! :bowdown:

Get this guy in the 3pt shooting contest NBA!

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors got one more run left.

[MUGEN]

WES the Iron Man Mathews!


and DeRozan is making some really nice plays too

[RoseCity07]

Blazers should bring in Aldridge to close the game. A bit too early to start resting the starters.

[MUGEN]

Batum holy shiiiiiiiiiiet :bowdown:

[MUGEN]

Raptors making a run

[RoseCity07]

Wow:oldlol:

[Legends66NBA7]

Career high in assists for DeMar.

This Raptors team is all heart.

[Illuminati]

I hate when coaches don't call a timeout during a deep drought like this. They wait until the game is tied or some shit. :facepalm

[MUGEN]

blazers choking

[Bcogswell]

Demar going hard against Portland, and Lowry just hits a hugeeeee 3.

[kwajo]

Holy shit we've got ourselves a game

[ripthekik]

KYLLLLLEE LOWRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYy

[MUGEN]

Raptors suddenly can't miss ..gotta give props to them :applause:

[RoseCity07]

I hate when coaches don't call a timeout during a deep drought like this.

Stotts tried to micromanage this game. He too Lillard out for no reason and sat Aldridge until the 6 or 7 minutes mark. I don't think he saw it backfiring this badly. Lillard was in a nice flow at the time when he subbed out.

[Bcogswell]

Holy shit the hustle plays all over.

[RoseCity07]

Clock is not Portland's friend right now. You don't want to play the last minute down 1 after blowing a lead. It's too much pressure. I can't believe Derozan has taken 29 shots.:eek:

[Bcogswell]

Offensive foul :facepalm

[Bcogswell]

DeMar with that pumpfake :rockon:

[RoseCity07]

Wesley Matthews you f*cking idiot:roll: :roll:

[MUGEN]

this game :roll:

[HoopsFanNumero1]

C'mon Raps. Gotta convert those opportunities

[kwajo]

Raps have had so many chances to take the lead and just can't get over the hump.

[HoopsFanNumero1]

2 free throws. Better make those.

[LONGTIME]

Bad foul by Portland.

[Bcogswell]

DeMar knocks down both, 1 pt lead.

[Fudge]

Raps have had so many chances to take the lead and just can't get over the hump.
Holy shit, you still post here?

[MUGEN]

dumb foul by wes :facepalm

[Fudge]

Lillard time tho.

[RightToCensor]

Blazers are so pathetic :roll:

[kwajo]

Holy shit, you still post here?
The real Kwaj doesn't, I bought his password off him when ISH closed registration.

[RoseCity07]

This is all on Terry Stotts for trying to rest the starters. Boy did that blow up in his face. You could have built a lead with 8 minutes to go and pulled the starters early if the game was out of reach. Instead you're risking a loss and now overtime, and you didnt get to rest your starters. Total failure.

[shejan]

Raptors have heart to not give up. First lead of the game comes at 25 seconds left

[All Net]

What a game

[RoseCity07]

Wow what a f*cking rip off if they don't give Lillard free throws. Total ref job.

[Bcogswell]

Damnit Lillard

[Jameerthefear]

lillarrd!

[Fudge]

Way too much time.

[RightToCensor]

KYL Jelly time

[roffie]

ice cold lilly

[RoseCity07]

Too bad Derozan can jump much higher than Matthews.:oldlol:

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Jump Ball? :biggums:

[MUGEN]

How was that not free throws? smh

Glad Lillard came through

[Bcogswell]

Won the jumpball thank god.

[Wavves]

Do you know what time it is, Lillard time

http://fortuneandfear.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/itsguccitime.jpg

[RoseCity07]

OMG:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[Bcogswell]

oh my ****.

[Fudge]

Fcking DeMar.

[MUGEN]

YES! Holy shit was that tense or what:applause:

[HoopsFanNumero1]

Raps were so close...

[kaiteng]

Now this is one of those stronger teams in the West. I predict it will go down to the wire. +-5.
Told ya. :pimp:

Still :(

[ripthekik]

should have gave lowry the last shot :facepalm
and the all star spot.

[Fudge]

Devlin's so heartbroken. :oldlol:

[Bcogswell]

Should have at least lost because of a missed buzzer beater, not dribbling it off your foot. :facepalm

[MUGEN]

BATUM you beautiful clutch bastard you!

[RoseCity07]

Good game Raptors fans. Blazers should have put this one away a long time ago. I thought this game was going to be tougher from the start but it really wasn't close until the end.

[kaiteng]

DeRozan has had some clutch shots before but not as often as you think. Yeah, his level is not at Rudy Gay's yet.

Great effort for a back-to-back away game though. :applause:

[MUGEN]

Great game Raptors fans :cheers: You and Pacers got my axe in the eastern conference

Negatives for Blazers

Stotts gambled and it backfired...gotta be more aggressive in the future than this
Bench didn't do that much after few really good games
Made some dumb errors in the last few minutes

Positives
All starters kicking butt despite foul trouble
Lillard coming out of a slump! dat dunk too
Good D, especially in the first three quarters
Attacking the paint and doing it well

[Legends66NBA7]

GG Blazer fans. You're all-stars played like all-stars.

We really shouldn't have been in this game. I can't even be that upset, although the ending sucks for a Raptors fan. The effort is what matters and this team doesn't quit.

On to the next one.

[Inferno]

Didn't watch...Lillard another game winner? :biggums:

[BlazerRed]

**** man these nikkas giving me heart attacks every game we play :( Glad we were able to hang on for the win though.

[BlazerRed]

Didn't watch...Lillard another game winner? :biggums:
Kind of, a pretty easy floater with 9 seconds left. Still won the game I guess though. He played pretty well tonight, good to see after he's been so terrible as of late.

[Inferno]

Kind of, a pretty easy floater with 9 seconds left. Still won the game I guess though. He played pretty well tonight, good to see after he's been so terrible as of late.

Lillard :applause: Finally got his groove back when Portland needed it :applause: