Pre-Game Blazers

If we ever needed to blaze our own trail, tonight's game has to be part of that sequence. It's a late one tonight with a 10:00pm start, 2nd game of the TNT doubleheader. I'll probably have to catch the replay.

The 3-game win streak is also on the line. Shamefully, it is the 3rd longest one we've had this season. Actually, the most shameful stat is our longest win streak...5 games. That is ancient history right now but all part of the 2020-21 odyssey we've been on this season.

It really would be nice to have Fournier clicking out there but one thing a resilient team and coach do...they make do with what they've got.

Also, Boston, please don't look ahead to the Lakers!! Then we'll back on yet another 2-game skid!

db

Always a tough game playing in Portland. They are favored by 1.5 points.

They start Lillard and McCollum in the backcourt and Robert Covington at PF. Recently acquired Norman Powell (from Toronto) starts at SF. Nurkic is at center. Off the bench they have Kanter who is splitting time with Nurkic, Melo and Derrick Jones. Little has also been getting some run.

I like the matchups here except for Lillard/Walker. If Smart can handle CJ with JB on Powell and Tatum on Covington we should be fine. I also like the Nurkic/Williams matchup. We will need our bench to play well and they will need to. TT, Langford, G Williams and PP are defensive minded guys and you can throw Semi into the mix.

No doubt we can win this game. My hope is that Walker does not try to match the sheer fire power of Lillard.

John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
yesterday
So far in April, the Celtics have the NBA's... 7th ranked offense (116.2) 5th ranked defense (105.3) 3rd best net rating (10.9)


Bob


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John Karalis @RedsArmy_John
5 hours ago
Before the All Star break, Jayson Tatum averaged 5.5 ppg in the restricted area. Since, he's averaging 8.1. He's taking 6% more of his shots there without an increase in shots or a decrease in 3-pointers. In short: He's more efficient, & it's paying off karal.is/z572lt


Bob


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