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[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (14-33) defeat The Philadelphia 76ers (29-16) 130-104



[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (14-33) defeat The Philadelphia 76ers (29-16) 130-104

by Kazekid

22 Comments

  1. Piano9717

    Here are my thoughts on the game:

    Positives

    * Jabari did a great job on defense moving his feet against the Sixers’ perimeter players, yet being strong enough to body up on Harris in the post. He also has magnets for hands – if the ball touches his hands, he never loses the ball. That combined with his motor just makes him so valuable even if his shot isn’t falling.
    * Brogdon is super crafty with his drives. His footwork and body control is immaculate and beautiful to watch. And I give him a ton of credit for being a professional, being engaged both on and off the court, and playing hard every game. Everyone knows he’d rather be playing for a contender instead of us, and everyone also knows he’s probably about to get traded – so it would be super easy for him to take plays off, chuck up jump shots, and avoid contact as much as possible so he can save himself for games that actually matter. But he’s playing banged up, driving hard to the rim, taking contact, and being aggressive. Just shows a lot about his character.
    * Early on in the season, I mentioned that Ayton would be 10000x more effective if he rolled hard to the rim once in a while, and we ran some plays to get him the occasional post seal or duck-in (and we don’t have to force feed him the ball in the post or drastically change his role – just have him keep doing what he’s doing but with minor tweaks). Well, the last 4 games his usage has been night and day and he looks so much more comfortable and better utilized in this offense. Don’t get me wrong he’s not perfect, but when he’s actually being used properly and playing to his strengths, he looks pretty competent offensively. It’s important to realize that we didn’t draft him number 1 overall, and we don’t expect him to be the franchise player or focal point of the offense – so putting up 16-18ppg on good efficiency as a pure play finisher is all we need from Ayton. Defensively he’s usually been pretty solid so far this season, but I’m really happy we’ve finally found a way to manufacture touches for him offensively. (Also, that set play where Ant sets a back screen to get an Ayton lob is straight from Monty Williams’ playbook with the Suns and it’s worked two games in a row now which is cool to see).
    * Ant generally didn’t force anything, made good decisions with the ball, and didn’t pound the ball in ISOs too much, which is good to see too. He didn’t always get the assist, but he did a great job drawing two defenders and getting rid of the ball on time, trusting his teammates to make the right play and find the open man. I also liked how active he was setting screens off the ball.
    * Grant made some unbelievably tough shots. He also got 2 putbacks on the offensive glass which might be a first.
    * Scoot cooked in garbage time. He got to the rim and drew some free throws, looked lightning quick in transition, and usually made the right play. And he hit three threes! What’s not to like?

    Negatives:

    * I feel like our defensive scheme is a little bit blind to the opponents’ scouting report at times – almost as if we are picking defensive coverages out of a hat and randomly playing them. Like, it really annoys me how heavily we extend ball pressure on guys who don’t need to be pressured – Patrick Beverley is not going to beat you by shooting pull-up jumpers, and he’s a longtime veteran who almost never turns the ball over. There’s no reason for us to be pressuring him so aggressively because it just gives up free dribble penetration and forces help situations where he’s able to get free fouls and layups.
    * Ant didn’t look very competitive when he got switched onto Tobias Harris or Oubre. Some of it is on the scheme (why are we conceding those switches so easily?) but Ant just has to compete harder – there were a couple plays where he got backed right under the rim and gave up a free layup which just can’t happen.

  2. 6-3 on back to backs. Are we the greatest tanking back to back team of all time?

  3. Brohawk_Obama

    Absolutely devastated… Left the game with 7 min left in the third because I remember I left refried beans on the burner

    Edit: Apartment, beans, and Scoot Henderson are fine 🥽🥽🥽

  4. Folks the day finally comes.. next game, the return of Dame

  5. I did the biggest fucking fist pump when Scoot packed that

  6. BruceLeesSidepiece

    can we just appreciate how hard both teams were playing tonight in garbage time lol

  7. blazer4ever

    Is it just me or that I am more excited about Scoot’s last 6 min than the blowout lol.

  8. loudstain

    Scoot isn’t athletic. Brogdon 📈. Guards learning to throw lobs.

  9. GaviFromThePod

    I feel like Pat Bev saw that they put the rookie on him and decided to teach scoot a lesson LMAO. He picked up 3 fouls QUICK.

  10. HaphazardHippo

    Couldn’t catch the game but saw Scoot was in early foul trouble, then he ended up with a point per minute?! Was it mainly basura time or how did that happen

  11. Brogdon was incredible tonight. THATS how you get DA involved. Loved it. Also it appears i made a huge mistake by turning this game off once garbage time hit lmao. Ill have to check out the Scoot highlights

  12. Trick_Weapon

    Scoot is insanely fast and quick. Once he hits his stride in this game he’ll embarrass people nightly with a crossover

  13. Key-Entertainment154

    It really feels like Scoot just needs confidence and consistency to take a big step forward. He hit a couple shots and then effortlessly drilled back to back threes. I really hope the coaching staff can get him the minutes he needs going forward

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