Truth be told I have no idea what to expect from this game.
I do know one thing. The outcome of tonight’s game will be decided by whether or not the Blazers want to show up and take care of business.
I’m always interested to see how the Blazers bounce back after losses. Young teams usually struggle with adversity but the Blazers have played well above their age in that department. I don’t think anyone would disagree that so far they have done an excellent job of ‘bouncing back’. Fun fact: Portland’s record is 5-2 in ‘bounce-back’ games aka games after a loss. Not so fun fact: both of those losses have come in Utah. Le groan.
Not that the Clippers are not capable of coming out and beating Portland, because that’s not true. I know there are about 123912 statistics against it and they are 4-17…buuuuut…. I’m not going to be the one downplaying the Clippers. On paper they have way too much talent to a) be 4-17 and b) be brushed to the side. They have guys who can put the ball in the bucket. And they have guys who can rebound. They lack anything resembling a bench and any real team concept at times but they still scare me for a few reasons. Baron Davis is a match-up problem for the Blazers. Plain and simple. Z-Bo will have revenge on his mind…or the inevitable after-party for his return to town. Al Thornton is always a scoring threat. Eric Gordon could get hot and drop 20 or drop 7. And the Clippers are due for a road win one of these days. So there is a lot up in the air tonight when you look past the opponent’s 4-17 record.
But again what’s more important is how the Blazers bounce back from this recent string of ‘disappointment’. In the past 7 days the Blazers have gone 1-3 and taken some frustrating losses. Boston, Orlando and at Utah. I think the word ‘dejected’ was used 312 times to describe the locker rooms after all those losses. Well it’s time to get the dirt off the shoulder with a return home. I think we all know if Portland comes out with energy, passion and plays their brand of basketball they should win.
Keys to success:
- Get off to a great start. Send a message early that tonight is not the night for a victory. The Clippers are 4-17 and 2-7 on the road. If the Blazers jump out to an early lead human nature says their minds will start to play games with them. It will feel like another loss is coming and they could shut down. Not only that but it would be great for Portland to get off to a great start. Get some of that of that confidence back while getting the crowd into it at the same time. Don’t want to let the Clippers linger around while the crowd sits disappointed.
- Rebound, rebound, rebound. Thornton, Camby and Randolph all have the ability to pound the glass. I don’t care who you play against you can’t give up second shots so box those guys up if you want a win.
- Contain Baron Davis. Zach’s going to score. The key is containing El Baron. Much easier said than done.
- Get some life from the bench and Batum. This is a game where I think Batum’s energy will be a huge help. We definitely need big efforts from him and the bench tonight. Someone has to make up for Travis being out.
The Blazers need a win and if they play their game, they should get one tonight.