POR vs ATL, NBA
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Sunday, January 17, 2021 08:30 AM
We forget what proportion injuries bogged down Portland to start out last season, to not mention the very fact it benefitted from the NBA’s hiatus thanks to the coronavirus, which allowed Nurkic and Zach Collins to become healthy enough to contribute to the Trail Blazers’ leaky defense. Add up their improved health with the offseason acquisitions of Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. in representation . add the new commitment to improvement on the defensive end from Lillard and McCollum, and that we just could be working with something going into 2020-21. Portland improved its versatility and athleticism, which may be a must within the rugged Western Conference. The Blazers should be within the mix for a postseason berth, but they’re still not talented enough to travel toe-to-toe with the conference’s elite teams.
The baby steps era is over for these Hawks. You don’t engineer the foremost intriguing offseason of any team within the league and not raise the expectations to playoff (or a minimum of play-in tournament) level. Schlenk knows it. Pierce knows it. then does everyone else within the organization, from the chief offices right down to the ball boys. The room is where the embrace of these raised expectations has got to be translated into a way more sound product on both ends of the ground . The Hawks ranked within the bottom five in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season. That won’t work anymore, not with the acute roster makeover that went on within the offseason. this is often little question a team that ought to compete for a playoff spot.
Portland Trail Blazers: W – 4, L – 1
Atlanta Hawks: W – 1, L – 4
