Thread by @stevejones20

You know what, let's watch some Blazers/Clippers

Very interested to see how the Blazers deal with Kawhi/PG and if they can put the lineups/move the ball to make the Clippers defense pay. Important they take a step in these games.

Norman Powell being able to guard Paul George is underrated for Portland.

Clippers attack is simple to start. Powell on PG, Covington on Kawhi that puts Dame on Morris. Marcus Morris might just hit this shot forever.

Beverley screens for Kawhi with CJ guarding him. Blazers don't want to switch, CJ doesn't hedge. Good job by Kawhi of taking the extra dribbles so Beverley can pop for the 3.

Beverley screens for Kawhi again, this time CJ able to hedge and Covington able to recover. Good defense on this set. Kawhi didn't care.

Clippers up and active vs. Lillard in P&R. Zubac shows and because of Beverley able to recover back to Kanter. Good denial by Beverley who hits the 3.

Love to see this from Powell not just a shooter but another guy who can go get a bucket. Double P&R for Dame with an empty side. Clippers late switch as Powell pops. Kanter goes right into a low screen, Powell pulls up and scores.

All the Clippers warts can be seen but they also have nights like this where they are 10/11 from the field 6 minutes into the first quarter and you remember they can just make shots left and right. Both have value I don't know which wins out right now.

Like this set from the Clippers. Jackson comes off a double drag, PG fakes a cross screen for Kawhi and flies off a stagger. Gets in the paint and dumps to Zubac rolling.

CJ McCollum. Sheesh.

Feels like the Clippers could be up 20 right now, shooting 15/19 from the field and 6/9 from deep. Also masks the fact the Blazers are shooting 11/16 from the field but just 1/3 from deep. Math wins I guess.

*whispers* is the "Clippers need a PG" crowd happy with the Reggie Jackson/Rajon Rondo pairing off the bench? *runs*

Melo vs. Morris in the battle of the midrange is fun.

It sounds absurd but I don't even know if I would file this in the "Portland can't guard" file. Clippers lost their minds twice that quarter.

Like...I don't know what you do when Kawhi is doing this.

Playmaking remains up from Kawhi. Posts up Powell but it's the patience here. Surveying the court the whole time, sees CJ help and kicks to Batum for 3.

Clippers are 10-of-16 from 3 with 8 minutes left in the second quarter. Reggie Jackson is hitting pullups.

Look at DeMarcus Cousins active defending in pick and roll.

...when did Blazers fans climb up the angry fanbase power rankings did i miss something?

Blazers down 54-72, they've made 4 threes, the Clippers have made 10 and if I remember my maths right that's the difference.

If the Blazers can get this to 10 by half that's a W.

Blazers may have found something with the pitch and catch action. Gives them action, movement and pick and roll type without allowing the defense to load up. Get a roll for Kanter and a dunk for Powell. Need to do more of it.

Blazers being able to grind out a possession like this is an important step. Dame gets trapped in P&R, hesitates and turns the corner. Skip to CJ, extra pass, Clippers rotate. Covington drives and kicks to Dame who drives and kicks again and Covington hits a 3.

I'm not going on the Clippers rant yet but man that first half was them in a nutshell.

This is what Portland needs more of. Make the defense pay for the traps on Dame. Clippers trap Dame here, empty side so Kawhi has to pull over to help. Kick to Powell who *drives the closeout* and finishes. Great rotation by Zubac though.

Great ball movement from Portland here. Clippers trap Dame, hits Kanter on the roll. Great cut by CJ, forces more help, kick to Powell who hits the 3. This is what Norman Powell adds for Portland, not just shooting but a finisher.

If the Clippers can get a consistent flow in the half court they go where they want to go. If they lean on pure shotmaking...it gets interesting.

I actually have more of an issue with the Blazers defense in the second half than in the first.

Kawhi screens for Rondo near half court. Blazers don't want to switch so Covington shows and Dame goes under. Really smart play by Kawhi to roll into Dame and hold him off as Rondo turns the corner and finishes.

Clippers got Rondo for little things like this. Clippers switch Patterson on to CJ. Trying to wave off for the iso before he can start Rondo comes to double, ball gets out of his hands and Rondo recovers to the paint. Great drive from Powell again finishing a play for Portland.

Been impressed by the Clippers responding tonight. Every time it feels like the Blazers make a run the Clips put them right back in a sleeper hold.

Great pass from Paul George here. Comes off P&R, Kanter is at the level, drags the trap out, sees the help from CJ and fires to Jackson for 3.

Good defense from the Clippers here. Kanter screens for Dame with an empty side. Clippers trap but watch the weakside, Jackson holds in the paint and helps on the roll. Batum holds at the nail, Kawhi is playing two. Patterson leaves when he picks it up. Good rotation on flash.

Reggie Jackson with *checks notes* 23 points off the bench.