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Trail Blazers @ Jazz, 7:30pm TNT & KGW
Written by Sheed   
Thursday, 11 December 2008 10:28

sheeds

Tuesday's loss to Orlando was gut wrenching, yet strangely deserving. The Blazers have already pulled off quite a few heroics this year and in the NBA that stuff usually comes full circle. I'll just look at it as we didn't deserve the Houston game and move on to one of our rivals, the Utah Jazz. Utah appears to be getting healthy and Boozer returning in just days.  The Northwest division is extremely tough right now and this game will go a long way in determining where we are in our own conference. It's going to be a hard fought battle and most likely it comes down to the very end. The Jazz are tough at home but the Magic gave us a big wake up call and I expect a man's game from Brandon Roy. For more on the Utah perspective AND an interview with your very own Bust a Bucket, check out True Blue Jazz.

BLAZERS

JAZZ

EDGE

COMMENT

I'd love to pick Blake here but that would be silly.  Deron is probably a top 3 point guard in the league when healthy.  He appears to be back at full strength and has a tendency to give Portland trouble, especially with 26 assists in his last 2 games. Steve was in foul trouble and didn't play too well on Tuesday, this seems like a good game to give Bayless minutes to try and guard Williams.

Roy's line from the Orlando game: 30 pts, 50% fg, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover.  Heck of a game, he'd be the talk of the NBA if not for Hedo hitting the desperation 3.  Roy won't be slowing down tonight, we'll need him in Utah and he'll deliver the boost that keeps us in this game.

C.J. Miles is to the Jazz what Nicolas Batum is to the Blazers.  Both aren't the best player at their position but they fit a role with the starting unit which helps their respective benches prosper. I have a good feeling about this match-up and this game, the Blazers lost horribly against Orlando and they are going to make up for it tonight.  It starts with Batum playing great defense and frustrating Miles.

With Carlos Boozer out, you'd think things would get easier for LaMarcus.  Not so much.  Paul Millsap has been a freaking beast.  The guy is averaging 17 pts, 11+ rbs, 3.8 asts, & 2 stls this month, incredible. He bangs inside, doesn't demand the ball, just works hard and kills softer players. This will be a physical battle for LaMarcus, but with the way LA has been playing I'm confident he'll counter Millsap.

Okur has also been playing some good ball.  His outside shot is falling and he is averaging nearly 10 rebounds per contest in December.  Greg has been playing a little soft lately, not looking for his, but hopefully this match-up will get him going.  I just hope he can get out and defend Okur's long range shots.

BENCH

BENCH

With Boozer out, the Utah bench get s a bit thinner but it's still very good. Andrei Kirilenko and Kyle Korver are filthy at times, they alone will give us a run for our money.  But on a night with some Euro ballers I see Rudy being the best of them all.  His outstanding performance Tuesday was overshadowed by the loss but I think he's rolling now.

OVERALL DECISION:

TRAILBLAZERS

Comments

avatar KyleC
0
 
 
Agree with the matchups and the overall decision on the Blazers. I think Roy is gong to be on a mission(no pun intended), I can see him going through the streets of Salt Lake after the game and crossing up unsuspecting Mormons. I think he will top his performance against Orlando on Tuesday. We also need another big game from LA and Rudy. LA seems to have found his shot once again, and Rudy will look to make someone look like a fool, again. I just hope Outlaw is less of a cancer for us this game, but doubtful. Blazers by 5
Thursday 11 December 2008, 04:44
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avatar Scotty B!
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Memo Okur looks like a pedophile in that picture. Creepy.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 04:46
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avatar CB Jack (True Blue Jazz)
0
 
 
Wow. I couldn't disagree more.

Batum over Miles? that is a push at best. Two young guys starting to develop.

Blazers Bench over Utah? Nope. Jazz have the second deepest bench in the league behind the Lake Show. Even with Boozer out.

This should be a great game. Too bad Carlose Loozer isn't playing. There is a good chance he is on the trade block.

Looking forward to a great game tonight.

Welcome to the Bloguin Family! We've been waiting for a nice Zer blog to come along.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 04:56
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avatar jaydubsud
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Say no to 'Zers.

Wizards are not called the 'zards,
L*kers are not called the 'kers - though I like that in different spelling,
Pacers are not called the 'cers - again I like in with different spelling,

Just stop it. It is stupid.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 06:05
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avatar CB Jack
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I couldn't help it after reading your poll to the left....
Thursday 11 December 2008, 08:26
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avatar jaydubsud
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Funny enough,
I'm the one who suggested that 'Sheed run the poll last week. I hate it that much. All good. May you lose a tight one tonight and go on to father 12 tow headed, lovely future cougars; the BYU kind.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 12:38
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avatar CDub
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CB JACK...I agree with you about Batum. But it's hard to always pick against Batum when his role is to play tough D, plus limited minutes.

I disagree about the Jazz bench. Yes AK47 and Korver could be starters, but with injuries Milsap is a starter. Our bench has been carrying us as of late. Rudy and Travis average in double figures. Prz is averaging 8 boards and plays tough D, and Sergio Rodriguez has come on as of late. Not to mention Frye and Bayless adding to the depth. I think you have a couple of top bench players, but I wouldn't say 2nd deepest bench.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 05:37
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avatar Bowerzzzzzzzzzzz
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Aldridge a PUSH with Millsap? Come on now....Aldridge will beast on poor Paul tonight. LA is playing the best basketball of his career.

Utah has the second deepest bench? hahahaha.



Thursday 11 December 2008, 06:07
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avatar Scrum
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[url]http://www.nba.com/2008/news/features/dave_mcmenamin/11/10/111008westinsider/index.html[/url] I'd say it's pretty good
Thursday 11 December 2008, 08:59
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avatar Scrum
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what ISN'T good is the way I posted that link...my bad
Thursday 11 December 2008, 09:00
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avatar CDub
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Yes the Jazz have a great bench. But doesn't losing Milsap from the bench crew knock them down from the top notch? Sheed just gave us the nod for this game. Blazers came in at #3, and that was a month ago.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 09:35
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avatar Sheed
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Bowerz, I'd love to give it to LA, but have you seen what Millsap is doing as a starter?? He's a MONSTER. To put it in Bowerz perspective and as a fantasy look, he's ranked 15 in averages over the past week....Like I said, 17 pts, 11 rbs, almost 4 dimes, 1 steal, 2 blocks per game. Pretty good!
Thursday 11 December 2008, 06:20
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avatar dogpissjones
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Hmmm....i think they benches are just about even. We forget that with Batum and Oden, often Pryz and Travis are playing more minutes than them so it's basically like they are the starters. Rudy, Sergio and Travis you never quite know what they're going to give us. Frye...dont' get me started. And Bayless getting playing time against Williams? HA! Don't make me laugh Sheed....quite impossible...cannot break Nate's set rotation...no....NEVER.

Go 'rs!
Thursday 11 December 2008, 06:26
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avatar Johnny Freemont
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Pryz and Travis don't start so they are part of our bench. Therefore they are included in the argument of which bench is better. I think Pryz, Travis, Rudy, Sergio, and Fry make for a better and deeper bench than Utah.
Thursday 11 December 2008, 07:28
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avatar dogpissjones
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you're not making any sense....

Go 'rs!
Thursday 11 December 2008, 10:33
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avatar Sheed
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I'd like to apologize for my picking of Batum, I didn't realize he'd been shooting so little and contributing in small quantities. I still like to believe he'll show up tonight, but if he doesn't, I'll understand. I still think we win it, look for Rudy and Jon Barry to dance on national TV tonight!
Thursday 11 December 2008, 09:46
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avatar CB Jack
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Hey Sheed. We want to invite you and your Zer readers to the Live Blog/Chat tonight at True Blue Jazz. Come and watch the game and spit some venom if you'd like.

See you all there!
Thursday 11 December 2008, 11:21
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Important Summer Dates

July 1st, 2009: Start of negotiations on long-term contracts for Roy and Aldridge.

July 10th-19th, 2009: Las Vegas NBA summer league.

July 22nd-25th, 2009: Team USA Training for Roy, Aldridge and Oden.

September 7th-20th, 2009: Eurobasket Tourney

September 30th, 2009: Training camp begins.

October 28th, 2009: 2009/2010 Season begins.

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