Game 9 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers Vs Detroit Pistons + Win Tickets
November 8, 2010 — PDXPIPELINE———————————-
Win Tickets: We have partnered with GoRipCity.com (discounted Blazers tickets all season here) and will be giving away many Portland Trail Blazers tickets this season including THREE pairs for tomorrow night's game vs Detroit Pistons.
To win, comment below answering one of these questions:
- Do you agree with Ron Artest that Brandon Roy is hurt and why/why not?
- How many minutes should Batum average and why?
To view the ticket sections/tickets in this giveaway, check out this post: Win Portland Trail Blazers Tickets (3 Pairs) &Â Gear!
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Portland Trail Blazers coverage by Andy Popp
GAME 9: Blazers vs Detroit Pistons
7PM; Comcast Sports
After an extremely poor showing in Los Angeles, the Blazers are back at home for a Tuesday night game against the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons chalked up their second win Sunday night vs the Golden State Warriors and currently sit at 2-5 for the season. Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace and Richard Hamilton remain from the 2004 championship squad. But it's 2010. Throw in Tracy Mcgrady and you've got a lineup that would be very scary if it was 2003. The only bright spot for the Piston's is Washington native Rodney Stuckey, who does a little bit of everything for them (except shoot threes).
The good news is that the Blazers match-up favorably with the Pistons. The majority of the their scoring comes from their back-court (Hamilton, Stuckey, Gordon), Batum and Matthews should slow them down considerably. The Pistons also are at the bottom of the league in points per game, rebounds per game and assists per game. This is the perfect team to play after a blowout loss.
The Pistons on paper.
Starting five: Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamilton, Rodney Stuckey
Off the bench: Ben Gordon, Will Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Tracy McGrady, Greg Monroe
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Ron Artest speculated after Sunday night's game that Brandon Roy has a back or knee injury. Great.
I checked the Piston's roster and they do not have Ron Artest, that bodes well for Brandon Roy.
STRATEGY
The Blazers need to dictate the pace of play and look for fast break opportunities. Run at them. Attack the basket.
LET'S GET RICH
To date: 3-2-1.
The Blazers are favored by -10.5 points at home. I'll take Detroit.
TRADE ME
Rudy Fernandez.
BOTTOM LINE
The Blazers need a win after Sunday night's drubbing, and the Pistons are the perfect team for that. Take care of business at home before two tough road games vs the Thunder and Hornets.
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More Portland Trail Blazers coverage here by
——Andy Popp
Andy Popp is a Portland native that loves sports and beer. You can contact Andy Popp at either andypopp@gmail.com or BlazersPipeline on Twitter. When he's not at PDX Pipeline, you can find him at lowposts.com.
November 8, 2010 at 19:02
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November 8, 2010 at 19:13
28 minutes for Batum because he a good defender and efficient offensively.
November 8, 2010 at 19:14
I have never been to a Blazers game before and would love to experience it! I watch every game on TV. I so hope to win this. Please!
November 8, 2010 at 19:17
Oh, and Batum should average about 30 minutes a game. He is still young and that gives him enough time to show what he can do without overextending himself or taking out other important players that deserve minutes.
November 8, 2010 at 19:21
Batum is the one of the few that showed up against LA. HE SHOULD MOST DEF. Earn 30 min a game.
November 8, 2010 at 19:27
Batum should be averaging 38 minutes per night. He’s young and durable and he’s only going to improve with more time on the floor.
November 8, 2010 at 19:29
I don’t think Brandon is injured, he’s been doing pretty well. Playing almost 40 minutes a game though, he definitely seems like it may be a bit much.
Batum has the FIRE during games. I’d definitely want to use him effectively in small bursts, maybe 25 minutes but make the most out of them.
November 8, 2010 at 20:18
I bet Roy is hurt or else he would have brought it against LA last night!
November 8, 2010 at 20:42
I would love to see and cheer for the Blazers! Hope to win this, your biggest Blazer fan =)
Thank you :) Sonja
November 8, 2010 at 20:43
I think that BRoy could be hurt but only he knows. I think he’s gotta man up. You ask for the ball more and when you get it nothing happens. Love ya but come on. And Batum needs to be playing 25-30 min a night.
November 8, 2010 at 20:46
The way the injuries are hitting the Blazers, I wouldn’t doubt that Brandon Roy is injured. This would be a big blow to the Blazers and would dash any hopes of a playoff run. I can only hope that I am wrong and that Brandon is fine. As for Batum, the Blazers should take advantage of him. Put him on the floor, get the pressure on the other teams. At least 20 or 25 minutes a game. Goooo BLAZERS!!!!
November 8, 2010 at 21:20
No I do not think Brandon is hurt. I honestly think they needed to use the Laker game as a measuring stick and realized early on they would lose and wanted to sav Brandon and exercise the other players.
November 8, 2010 at 21:44
There’s no doubt that there is something going on with Brandon…how can there not be. Just like last year, he has to play hard every minute of every game-his body will let him know that it needs a break. However, I believe he can get his game back real quick-he’s an amazing player. I would love to see him play.
November 8, 2010 at 22:11
I don’t think Roy is injured, otherwise he’d say so. I think he is struggling mentally after all his friends (Travis, Webster, Bayless) got traded, and with Nate’s inability to run a fast paced offense.
Batum should be averaging 35 minutes a night because he is extremely effective. He can run. Let him loose!
November 8, 2010 at 22:46
Brandon Roy may or may not be hurt. It’s hard to know, since he is the only one who can feel the pain. I’m not so sure that he is.
I think that Batum should be averaging 25-30 minutes a game. He is still young enough that he should have the stamina to pull it out. Come on…That’s what a young team is supposed to be strong at, right!?!
November 8, 2010 at 22:57
B Roy is just pacing himself… he will turn it in once we get closer to the playoffs. Batum should be playing 35-40 minutes so B Roy can play less.
November 8, 2010 at 23:02
Batum should be playing at least two quarters, he sets a great pace and is a fab’ player. Would love to see him in action.
Thanks for the chance-Jolene
November 8, 2010 at 23:48
Pistons Blazers? Holy HELL!!! I had tickets for the game last season, but had swine flu and I missed it. Seriously. Swine. Flu. To top it off, I’m a CT guy, born and bred, living here since 2006. I love the Blazers…but Villanueva, Gordon, Hamilton? It’s UCONN, baby! And get this, my best buddy is a BIG Pistons fan…he’d LOVE to join me for this. Go….BLAZERS! Uh huh.
November 8, 2010 at 23:54
Oh shit. I got so excited, I nearly forgot the RULES. Roy’s not hurt and Artest is an A-Hole. ’nuff said on THAT matter. Batum needs to be averaging at LEAST 22 minutes – he’s the spark plug that we need, now that Bayliss has been traded and Pendergraph is out for the season.
November 8, 2010 at 23:57
Shit. You said answer ONE of the questions. I’ll take Roy’s not hurt and Artest as an A-Hole for 2000, Alex.
November 9, 2010 at 02:42
Roy must be hurt, there has to be an excuse for the game he played. Batum should be averaging 20 minutes a game min.
November 9, 2010 at 08:24
Roy might be hurt but after coming back a week after knee surgery last season (which I have seen many people down from this injury and it blows my mind!) I dont think its something that will bug him for long. Super hero style! Heal up Roy we need you:)
November 9, 2010 at 09:16
I agree that the only one that knows if Roy is hurt is Roy! Let it be a decision between him and his doctors, but I do hope to see him play!!
November 9, 2010 at 09:56
I would love to go to the Blazer game tomorrow! He should average 34 minutes, because I’ve heard good things.
November 9, 2010 at 10:26
I do think Brandon Roy is hurt. He is not as quick and he breaking to the basket like he used to.
November 9, 2010 at 10:58
Brandon Roy and his doctors can only know if he is hurt. Given the injury laden last season, though, I think Roy should do all he can to be sustainable this season.
November 9, 2010 at 11:03
I have no clue how many minutes Batum will average and why. To be honest when I skimmed the questions I read it as “points” and “Batman”, which got me thinking…how many points would Batman average and why?
After much deliberation, I came to the conclusion that Batman would average 32 points. My reasoning is that he is strong, and has a vertical leap that puts the lions on Animal Planet’s “Feeding Frenzy” to shame. The intimidation factor alone would allow Batman to rack up a good 16 points in the first half. The other points would come slower in the second half and all scored on the rebounds of other players missed shots – again…that vertical leap is pretty impressive, not to mention the slight air lift and glide he would get from his cape.
November 9, 2010 at 11:04
Roy is just not happy and gets more selfish the more years he plays in the league it seems.. He and Mac just don’t get along..
November 9, 2010 at 11:06
I don’t think Brandon is hurt, but I don’t think he is performing at full capacity. I think after his knee injury last year and hamstring troubles, his body just never got back to normal and may never will.
I think Brandon’s troubles are more mental than anything. Unsure about when to be selfish and when not to be. He needs to step up and show why he’s an all star.
Kobe, Wade, and Lebron all get guarded by the toughest defenders like Artest, and they all seem to find a way to still dominate. Brandon just needs to reach that level still.
November 9, 2010 at 11:07
Batum is the future–play him 36 minutes a game!!! Trade Miller, LA, B Roy, or anyone else, but keep Batum!!!!
November 9, 2010 at 11:11
Batum should be getting at least 30 min a game. He’s a starter; he gets starter minutes. They cleared out the 3 by selling off Trout and Webby, so those minutes should be his. His 3Pt shot is crackalackin’ right now; almost no one else is hitting them. He’s still young and learning to put a whole game together, but you get experience by having experience n
November 9, 2010 at 11:14
This is the NBA, much like the UFC, no one plays at 100% for long. With a schedule of 82 games (not to mention summer league, pre-season, & post-season) and very little down time, it’s likely that most players are playing a little banged up. Brandon probably won’t tell you he’s hurt, most would never complain except for using the phrase “a little sore.” A defensive threat like Artest, (shout out to his psychologist) more than likely can see when someone they’ve defended dozens of times isn’t at the top of their game. Sharks smell blood. He’s probably on to something.
As for Batum, I feel he should be playing whenever there is a lapse in energy on the floor or when a 1-2-or 3 start lighting up their defender. He changes the looks they get, plus they have to match his hustle. He is still streaky and much more likely to drain the 3 at home than away. I feel his minutes should reflect his play on that day, but please don’t forget about him after he goes to the bench in the first. Much like going to LaMarcus early in the game, Batum needs to remain an offensive threat in the 4th to help Brandon get better looks. 26-32 minutes depending on the shot falling.
Verbz The Kid
November 9, 2010 at 11:14
Batum is a great player and should be played for 23 minutes to get some good time in the game but also to avoid the possibility of another injury this season. Overplaying him may help the Blazers in the short run but could potentially inhibit his growth as a player in the long term.
November 9, 2010 at 13:17
I didn’t realize his full title was Ron Artest M.D. He’s trying to get in his head. If he’s hurt, a doctor or Roy will eventually reveal it.
Let’s just hope his game improves one way or another.
November 11, 2010 at 13:40
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November 11, 2010 at 17:00
Brandon Roy isn’t the type of player to fake an injury. I think he’s legitimately hurt his knee, and that’s what has been holding him back.
Can he play through his pain? Probably. But it might not be smart if they want to keep him alive through the rest of the season and into the play-offs.
As for Batum’s minutes, he could play 25 – 30. He’s energetic and has got a great perimeter shot.
May the best man (or woman) win the tickets :)