Pounding The Rock - Full Coverage Game 3: Spurs @ Portland Trail BlazersFor all your Manu Ginobili loving and San Antonio Spurs newshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/12497/ptr-fv.jpg2014-05-12T16:32:25-05:00http://www.poundingtherock.com/rss/stream/54695892014-05-12T16:32:25-05:002014-05-12T16:32:25-05:00Spurs keep dominating Blazers, threaten sweep
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes</figcaption>
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<p>Oddly enough, the Spurs fare much better against these guys when they game plan, when all their good players are suited up and when it's not the second night of a back-to-back. </p> <p><b>Western Semi-Final Game 3 @Portland: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> 118, Blazers 103 Series: 3-0</b></p>
<p>Here's how I know the Blazers aren't well coached.</p>
<p>On the Spurs' second possession of Game 3, <span>Tony Parker</span> ran a pick-and-roll, got Blazers caveman-styled <span>Robin Lopez</span> to commit to him, and fed <span>Tim Duncan</span> for the layup. On the next series he curled around the elbow, where Duncan picked off defender <span>Wesley Matthews</span>, found himself open at the free throw line with Lopez not willing to commit this time, and he canned the 15-footer.</p>
<p>And then he did it again.</p>
<p>And again.</p>
<p>And again.</p>
<p>Four straight short jumpers for Parker, all on the identical play.</p>
<p>I don't want to be mean but...</p>
<p>It's clear to me that the Blazers established a few team rules and principles about the Spurs going into the series. Borrowing heavily from Dallas coach <span>Rick Carlisle</span>, who Blazers skipper <span>Terry Stotts</span> worked under before getting this gig, Portland decided that they were going to let Parker decide this series one way or the other. They keep dropping their bigs near to the rim, and refuse to close down on Parker with a third defender, which would invite the corner three. The Spurs have attempted very few corner threes all series.</p>
<p>They've also made it clear that when <span>Manu Ginobili</span> checks in to gum up the works that they're going to be physical with him in the lane. Maybe they've surmised that Ginobili hasn't quite gotten the benefit of the whistle the same way these past couple years as he has in the past. He hasn't really had one clean drive to the basket all series without being bumped or hacked in any of the first three games. In the first two games he didn't get any calls at all. In Game 3, his fortunes turned. To his credit, he's continued to be aggressive (the jumper being wonky might have encouraged the driving too).</p>
<p>The combination of Parker and Ginobili together has been particularly devastating for the Blazers. For one, it makes it impossible for Stotts to hide <span>Damian Lillard</span> defensively with <span>Danny Green</span> off the floor. For another, it gives the Spurs two ball-handlers to run pick-and-rolls on opposite sides of the floor in the same 24-second shot clock and to exploit mismatches and switches as they see fit. If the Blazers want to experiment with throwing <span>Nicolas Batum</span> at Parker? Fine, he just kicks it out to Ginobili and lets him run the offense, as we saw.</p>
<p>In Game 1 Ginobili finished plus-8 and was plus-7 with Parker.</p>
<p>In Game 2 he was plus-11, and plus-8 with Parker.</p>
<p>In Game 3 he was plus-24, and plus-12 with Parker.</p>
<p>Ginobili has fared much better with his "foreign legion" bench-mates this series than last, but for the most part he's made his bones with the starters since they can, you know, guard people.</p>
<p>To be fair to <span>Patty Mills</span>, <span>Boris Diaw</span> and <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, at least they give you something on one end of the floor. The Blazers bench, meanwhile, has been straight garbage all the way around. The Spurs' reserves have outscored the Blazers 140-39 so far and the margin was 40-2 in Game 3.</p>
<p>Stotts tried to minimize their impact on the game, but the numbers don't lie.</p>
<p><span>Thomas Robinson</span>: minus-6 in 8:47.</p>
<p><span>Will Barton</span>: minus-12 in 10:42.</p>
<p><span>Earl Watson</span>: minus-5 in 5:01.</p>
<p>Dorrell Wright: minus-9 in 3:46.</p>
<p>The Blazers' starters all finished between minus-7 and minus-12 as well, but it at least took them considerably longer to get there. Lopez played the fewest of any of them, and that was for <i>only</i> 36:50. Batum played 44 while Lillard played 43.</p>
<p>Pop, going for the kill, had Duncan drag his 38-year-old self up and down the floor for 39:40, but no other starter played nearly as much as Portland's guys.</p>
<p>My working theory is that maybe the Blazers just aren't all that good.</p>
<p>Remember, after they blitzed the league, starting 31-9, they fell back to Earth hard, going 14-18 over the next 32 games and nearly fell out of the playoffs in the deep Western Conference, finally righting themselves in April against a soft schedule. Stotts leaned on his starters, and played them together as a unit for 1,373 minutes over the regular season, second in the league behind Indiana's starters (had <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> not missed 13 games due to injury, they'd have blown away everyone in this dubious stat). In the playoffs they lead everyone, with the starters averaging 22.1 minutes together through nine games. Individually Aldridge, Lillard and Batum were all in the top 20 in the league in minutes per game, while Matthews was 44th, and he only slid that far down because Portland's one serviceable reserve, <span>Mo Williams</span>, plays some with Lillard in two point guard lineups.</p>
<p>That the Blazers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> in round one was mostly due to some good fortune and the right match-ups. It took Rockets coach <span>Kevin McHale</span> three games to figure out that <span>Omer Asik</span> was the best guy to guard Aldridge, and by then he had already gone nuts in Games 1 and 2, destroying <span>Dwight Howard</span> and <span>Terrence Jones</span> in the process. Even then, the Rockets had to choke away Game 1, blowing an 11-point lead with four minutes to go.</p>
<p>From Game 3 on though, it was pretty much luck. The teams traded overtime wins in Games 3 and 4, Houston won at home convincingly in Game 5 and were the better team most of Game 6 on the road, in position to win until Lillard's miracle three at the buzzer. Had he missed that shot do you think the Blazers would've gotten off the mat to win a Game 7 on the road?</p>
<p>It helped the Blazers to draw another bench-deficient and relatively inexperienced squad in the Rockets. McHale is just as clueless and Houston's reserves don't scare anyone. Asik can guard people, but he's no offensive threat. <span>Jeremy Lin</span> often does his team more harm than good. Howard's offense is entirely at the rim, which suits the immobile Lopez to a tee. Lillard got to guard a mediocre offensive talent in <span>Patrick Beverley</span> with a bad knee. The Rockets mostly ran ISOs with <span>James Harden</span> or post-ups for Howard instead of that deadly pick-and-roll, and even then almost beat the Blazers.</p>
<p>Compare that transition, going from that stone age offense and rudimentary coaching to the Spurs with their multi-faceted offense and their ability to exploit a mismatch ten different ways?</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Spurs got the perfect team in Dallas to prepare for the Blazers. Aldridge is more athletic than <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span>, a bit less savvy, but relatively a wash. <span>Monta Ellis</span> can't shoot the three like Lillard, but they have similar size and speed. <span>Shawn Marion</span>, <span>Samuel Dalembert</span> and <span>Vince Carter</span> compare to Batum, Lopez and Matthews.</p>
<p>If the Spurs drew the Blazers in round one, maybe that would've been interesting. But getting them right after Dallas was perfect. They got a live scrimmage to figure out what works, what doesn't and at what level they had to play from an intensity standpoint. Now they're in vampire mode: ageless, much quicker than expected and sucking the life out of everyone in site and making it look beautiful all the while.</p>
<p>Now, if Ginobili could only make a shot...</p>
<p><b>Your three stars: </b></p>
<p><b>3) Manu Ginobili (15 pts)</b></p>
<p><b>2) Tim Duncan (10 pts)</b></p>
<p><b>1) Tony Parker (22 pts)</b></p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/12/5710632/are-the-spurs-this-good-or-are-the-blazers-just-overratedMichael Erler2014-05-12T02:22:39-05:002014-05-12T02:22:39-05:00GIF Breakdown: Spurs at Blazers Game 3 Part 2
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<figcaption>Steve Dykes</figcaption>
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<p>The exciting conclusion to the game, in GIF form. </p> <p>Part One can be found<a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/11/5707700/gif-breakdown-spurs-at-blazers-game-3" target="_blank"> here</a>.</p>
<p>This is the closest the Blazers were able to get on Saturday night. After a <span>Tony Parker</span> jumper that put the Spurs up 64-45, the Blazers went on a 12-0 run in just 2' 42". This Nicolas Batum fade-away capped it and the score stood at 64-57. The Blazers on fire, the Moda Center fully alive, and you can just tell that <span>Gregg Popovich</span> is curious to see how his team would respond to being pushed for the first time in the series. No timeout, no yelling, no pep talk. Nothing to say, pacing the sideline, glancing at a pumped up fan enjoying his team coming to life from court-side seats. You have to think that Popovich was pleased, well pleased is probably the wrong word but you know what I mean, at the current situation. It isn't supposed to be easy. So he just waits to see how his guys will respond.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439691/1_pop.gif" class="photo" alt="1_pop"><br id="1399863823749"></p>
<p><span>Manu Ginobili</span> broke the scoring drought for the Spurs on a dime from Tony. The Manu takes advantage of the ball-watching <span>Damian Lillard</span> by moving to give Tony an outlet. Tony sees him, makes the pass, and Manu, who was without a made bucket to this point, knocks down a catch-and-shoot 15-footer.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439699/2_Iron_Manu.gif" class="photo" alt="2_iron_manu"><br id="1399863883468"></p>
<p>Manu Ginobili was a game-high plus-24 for the game, but only shot 25% from the floor. His shot may not have been falling, but he made an impact by getting to the line, and creating for his teammates. <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/10/5700880/gm-buford-is-the-real-head-of-the-spurs-snake#pgh/28/5160.2001953125" target="_blank">Erler said it recently</a>, and it's true - Manu makes everyone he plays with better. Here the Spurs run a pick-and-roll with Manu and Splitter, Tim sets a second screen, Lopez switches on to Gino, Lillard continues to give chase and <span>Tim Duncan</span> is wide-open. Not the worst outcome for the Blazers, Tim's jumper isn't exactly automatic. But the pressure was high, and Tim brings his A-game when his team needs him, so of course he knocks it down without touching rim.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439707/3_manu_to_timmy.gif" class="photo" alt="3_manu_to_timmy"><br id="1399863974302"></p>
<p>The Manu/Splitter pick-and-roll. This was over when Batum went over the screen, making the play a two-on-one. Manu played a huge role in keeping the Blazers at bay, and here he delivers a perfectly placed bounce-pass to Splitter who then dunked it, kind of hard. Tiago's been fun to watch this postseason. Bill Simmons even apologized for writing that Splitter is overpaid, and acknowledged that he's been fantastic.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439747/5_manu_pnr.gif" class="photo" alt="5_manu_pnr"><br id="1399864390435"></p>
<p>Man, these Blazers spend so much time flying to the ground I guess these Spurs bigs set the meanest screens around. <span>Thomas Robinson</span> gets a little too aggressive on his own end, showing off his power by throwing Tiago to the ground. That's an and-one. Nice work, Sparkles. Oh, Patty was pretty good too, hustling up the court, working with Manu and keeping the pace high.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439763/6_tiago_patty.gif" class="photo" alt="6_tiago_patty"><br id="1399864455399"></p>
<p>Even when Manu was bad, he was so bad that it presented a unique opportunity for his teammate. Here Boris sees that Manu's shot is going to miss everything, tracks it like a center fielder and then with the shot clock under a second Boris gets a layup to go from behind the backboard. The big Frenchman finished plus-22 in his 23 minutes of work.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439779/7_mg.gif" class="photo" alt="7_mg"><br id="1399864587543"></p>
<p>This one is incredible. <span>Danny Green</span> enters the ball to Boris who then flashes a glance at Patty and it's on. Bobo spins as Patty cuts to the farthest part of the corner getting just enough space from a bump on Wes from Timmy. Diaw delivers a beautiful wraparound pass and Mills' three is pure. This is next level basketball. It takes perfect timing from two players, pinpoint accuracy on what might be one of the toughest passes there is -- I mean it's a fully-extended 30-foot sidearm with heat that has a window of about a foot and a quarter second.</p>
<p>Bonus GIF Content: Pop with the subtle body english. I think even he's impressed.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439795/8_bobo_tp_thrills.gif" class="photo" alt="8_bobo_tp_thrills"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4440235/bonus_gif.gif" class="photo" alt="Bonus_gif"></p>
<p>Manu Ginobili continued to inflict damage off of screens, here finding Duncan after Robin Lopez leaves Tim to contestGino near the rim. Easy score for Timmy.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439803/9_mg_to_td.gif" class="photo" alt="9_mg_to_td"><br id="1399865002347"></p>
<p>This is Manu's second and final field goal of the game. He uses a Duncan pick to gather speed before attacking the slow-footed Robin Lopez in the lane and finishes fairly easily going left.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439827/10_mg.gif" class="photo" alt="10_mg"><br id="1399865198098"></p>
<p>Tony Parker, after dominating the Blazers in the first quarter, wanted to get back in the fight. He runs a PnR with Duncan, draws two defenders and dishes to the diving Duncan. Big Fun absorbs the contact from Lopez and finishes anyway, picking up the and-one.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439843/11_timmy.gif" class="photo" alt="11_timmy"><br id="1399865331426"></p>
<p>With the lead back to a comfortable 14 the Spurs ate some clock and extended their lead by going to Duncan in the post. Tim backs Lopez down just a little and then spins over his right shoulder and burying a jumper.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439859/12_tim_post.gif" class="photo" alt="12_tim_post"><br id="1399866126965"></p>
<p>Tony Parker uses a sneaky hesitation that gives him a half a step, and that's all he needs to beat Batum to the hole. Tony takes the push and finishes for the hoop and the harm.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439867/13_tp.gif" class="photo" alt="13_tp"><br id="1399866348214"></p>
<p>Here we see Kawhi Leonard poke the ball away from Batum and then sprint the other direction as Tim picks up the loose ball. Tim delivers one of his fantastic outlet passes and Whi snatches the ball with one hand and takes the contact and hits the layup.</p>
<p>Bonus GIF content: Looks how fired up Manu is! That's fun to see.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439891/14_Manu_pumped_up.gif" class="photo" alt="14_manu_pumped_up"><br id="1399866836185"></p>
<p>This is just mean. Sorry Portland fans, you shouldn't have to suffer through Splitter knocking down a shot clock beating 20-footer that was as pure as could be.</p>
<p><img src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439907/15_tiago.gif" class="photo" alt="15_tiago"><br id="1399866931011"></p>
<p>That's it for this edition of GIF Breakdown. See you Pounders next time, hopefully after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> close the series on Monday night. <i>This team is so easy to root for</i>.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/12/5708878/gif-breakdown-spurs-at-blazers-game-3-part-2Chris Itz2014-05-12T00:57:12-05:002014-05-12T00:57:12-05:00Sleeping giants: Fraternizing with the Enemy
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<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Dave Deckard of BlazersEdge.com and J.R. Wilco of PoundingTheRock.com are conversing throughout the Spurs/Blazers 2nd round playoff series. With the Spurs up 3-0 we talk about what brought the Spurs and Blazers to this point.</p> <p>Day 1 of the Epic and Ongoing Playoff version of the <a target="_blank" href="http://BlazersEdge.com" style="background-color: #ffffff;">BlazersEdge.com</a> edition of Fraternizing with the Enemy <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/6/5686156/fraternizing-with-the-enemy-blazers-edition">is here</a>. Day 2 of <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/7/5690224/fraternizing-with-the-enemy" target="_blank">is here</a>. Day 3 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/9/5699400/spurs-vs-trail-blazers-fraternizing-with-the-enemy-serpentine">is here</a>. Today's is below.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span><b>J.R. Wilco:</b></span></h4>
<p>Here's an idea that's been cropping up in both broadcast and print coverage, but the most poignant example was texted to me by a buddy during the fourth quarter of Saturday night's Game 3.</p>
<p>"Dallas punched a sleeping giant. Portland has to suffer for it."</p>
<p>While there's merit in discussing the possibility that Dallas was the perfect first round opponent for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> by forcing the San Antonio to develop their offense in order to deal with the kind of defenses that they'd see throughout the playoffs (or at least in the first two rounds), what I want to discuss here is more along the lines of Oregon vs. Texas.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Trail Blazers</a> spent the first round working up a serious hate-on for all things Houston vis-a-vis that nasty six-gamer with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>. And the second round isn't doing much to increase any Pacific-Northwesterner's affection for San Antonio. But if the reason that the Spurs have been so perfectly prepped to dismantle Portland is because of Dallas, then that means Blazer Nation would have cause to harbor resentment against all three Texas teams. That kind of thing just isn't healthy, but I know of no way to avoid it. So there's that, and also there's the possibility of the sweep thing just sitting there like a big elephant in the room, daring to be ignored. My question to you: how do we deal with these issues?</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Dave Deckard:</b></span></h4>
<p>All of that's a bit too esoteric for me at this point. I'm not sure about future rivalries or hate-fests and I'm not that concerned about a sweep in principle. If it happens, it happens.</p>
<p>For me, I hearken back to the beginning of the season for the Trail Blazers. As the early season unfolded and the Blazers embarked on their 31-9 start, I remember watching them night after night thinking, "They're basically playing the same three cards every game. How come nobody is stopping this?" After 40 games of mostly victories, you just shrug your shoulders and accept it. "Hey...maybe they are doing something I'm not seeing or maybe the league really can't stop this. I'm not complaining!" At no point could the Blazers develop alternatives. Even if they had the inclination they didn't have the depth. They just kept playing their way.</p>
<p>Then the first-round matchup with Houston came. This was worrisome. Not only had the Rockets had regular-season success against the Blazers, they had time to prepare. The Blazers still didn't have alternatives. You'd have thought the Rockets would have viewed the tape and said, "Keep in single coverage, run screens, penetrate and play the inside-out game, rebound decently, and this series is ours." Instead they went with matchup basketball, slow-playing their perceived advantages with <span>James Harden</span> and <span>Dwight Howard</span>, blowing spacing and continuity in the process. At times they looked brain-dead. The Blazers took the series, waltzing on their way.</p>
<p>At that point it really did look like Portland's attack was more than it seemed. Maybe Aldridge's dominance forced enough breakage that opponents couldn't compensate. Maybe Lillard's poise under pressure would see the Blazers through their mistakes and predictability.</p>
<p>Then all of a sudden the Spurs show up with not only, "We got you", but a whole jug of "We Got You Concentrate". They didn't dilute it, didn't add water. Finally somebody looked at the scouting film, figured out the Blazers do, like, four things consistently, and found out how to take away not just one or two, but all four. That's a credit to the Spurs. It's also a wake-up call for the Blazers on their way forward. You can append "Second Round Team" to their 2013-14 season but as it's turned out, it's more like "1.5 Round Team". The Spurs have shown the difference between a squad equipped to handle anyone, anywhere and a squad that does pretty well until somebody figures them out. The rush of Round 1, Game 6 can't disguise the walloping of Round 2, Games 1-3. The Blazers weren't ready for this series mentally or emotionally, but they also weren't set up to clear this hurdle. All the prior momentum only served to make the "thud" harder when they tripped over it.</p>
<p>I'm not sure that's a surprise. I'm not sure it's even the most disappointing aspect of the series. Portland losing to the Spurs is no biggie at this point in the development arcs of these franchises. Portland trailing the Spurs 3-0 isn't even that big of a disaster. Portland trailing 3-0 having shown zero ability to adjust or fight back or even get more intense--with each loss only serving to make the offense look more rushed and scattered, with each defensive possession devolving into the same "can't do anything different" routine that's shadowed them all year--that shows something about this team. It also shows how much work needs to go into the project before the Blazers are ready for prime time.</p>
<p>So no, I don't think the Blazers end up hating the Spurs. Do you resent a mountain for falling on you when you tried to climb it with the wrong gear in the wrong season? For Portland this is less about San Antonio specifically and more about San Antonio representing the archetype of that hurdle they're not ready to leap. If it wasn't the Spurs it'd be someone else. The Blazers showed how spirited and exciting they can be this year. They've also shown how vulnerable they are and how ill-equipped at this point to deal with their vulnerabilities. That's a painful lesson, but in some ways a much-needed one.</p>
<p>That said, at least one game remains in this series. If the Blazers haven't summoned any gusto yet, it's hard to imagine them finding it down 3-0. In your heart of hearts, is there any way you see the Spurs losing Game 4?</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span><b>J.R. Wilco:</b></span></h4>
<p>Is there any way? Absolutely. One of the features of a following such a long-term core as Pop and the Big Three is that I've seen them lose nearly every kind of game in almost every way it could be lost.</p>
<p>That said, I give it about a 5% chance of happening. First, the Spurs are crazy good at closing teams out. Second, there's the weight of 0-3 that just crushes a team, and not just the Blazers either. Any team that loses the first three of a best of seven series is essentially playing on the surface of Neptune for Game 4; the gravity has got to be suffocating. Every mistake is magnified and every obstacle looms like Everest. Finally, the way the Spurs are playing right now makes any loss seem as foreign as playing with a purple pyramid-shaped basketball.</p>
<p>And the way you talk about Portland's inability to adjust makes me remember something I noticed in the 3rd quarter of Game 1 when TNT did a "mike'd up" segment on <span>Terry Stotts</span> as he encouraged the Blazers with something like, "Focus on this quarter. Where are we? We're up for for the quarter. Just keep chipping away. Chipping away."</p>
<p>More than what he said, it was the way he said it. I can't pretend that I've been following him for long, so it's possible that he just talks like that. But to me, it really seemed like he didn't even believe what he was saying. There was just no passion in his words or manner.</p>
<p>That can be ok, if he's able to get his point across in other ways. It's not like every coach has to have the same style or mannerisms. But it was quite striking and it made me really interested in your take on him. As well as the lack of adjustments, do you see Stotts as part of the problem? Or do you think that if the Blazers had more pieces, that he could get them to the next level?</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span><b>Dave Deckard:</b></span></h4>
<p>If you give a guy creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter, and Wonder Bread what's he going to make besides a sandwich? At the point you're citing, down big with no signs of life, I could see nobody in the huddle believing it, or at least needing a miracle to make it come true. But even a miracle (see also: last shot, Houston) wouldn't change the rut the Blazers are locked into.</p>
<p>Stotts would love more options, more wrinkles. How do you make that happen? Blazer fans have been asking, "Why don't the Blazers hedge screens or get out and cover instead of sagging back into the lane?" Good idea! With whom? The Spurs are smart enough to know <span>Robin Lopez</span> is the key to Portland's interior defense. Without him, there is none. As we've discussed before, the price of admission for Lopez's best game is keeping him in or near the lane at all times. They have not hedged or switched with Lopez all year. They cannot do it. Witness the ridiculous Parker v. Lopez mismatch in Game 3 the couple times they tried. Extending the screen defense just isn't an option with him in there. But who replaces him?</p>
<p><span>Thomas Robinson</span>? OK, done. But he's messing up offensive sets and fouling like crazy.</p>
<p>Victor Claver? Great. Mobile enough anyway. But he's undersized on the boards and has the offense of your average warty newt. He went 0-5 on 4 free throws in Game 3.</p>
<p><span>Joel Freeland</span>? Been injured and wouldn't necessarily be more able to contain outside than Lopez.</p>
<p>Every guy you put in creates problems elsewhere in the chain. San Antonio just switches to exploiting those. Plus none of those guys really solve Portland's own problems.</p>
<p>So now...is this a coaching issue?</p>
<p>The one thing I will say is that the Blazers didn't respond at all in Game 3 outside of that one, up-tempo, devil-may-care run. I wasn't looking for major adjustments, but I was looking for them to do the things they're good at with more passion, poise, and power. None of that happened. They got more timid, more rattled. I don't think they understand how to break out of the submission hold the Spurs have them in right now. That's not just affecting one game, it's carrying through.</p>
<p>This, I think, is a combination coaching staff and personnel issue. Neither the Blazers nor Stotts have been deep in the playoffs. They understand in theory what post-season basketball is about but I'm not sure they have the collective resources to get back up when the Spurs knock them down so hard, to start kicking to the groin when the left jab isn't working. Among the other needs, a player with playoff experience who doesn't care about anything else besides coming out ahead would do wonders for this team. I think of what Ron Artest did to the young <span>Brandon Roy</span> in Houston-Portland '09 (though Roy was a far superior player by then) and I want somebody to even the odds for Portland in these situations. Not that the analogy holds for the 2014 Spurs. They'd probably cope, though the fight would be fairer. But as I said, the 2014 Spurs aren't the issue. The Blazers also have to overcome what they represent...every future team with decent talent and enough smarts to figure out how the Blazers like to play.</p>
<p>Of all things missing for Portland in Game 3, the lack of fight was the worst in my mind.</p>
<p>So let's assume the Spurs are going to win this series. You opened the frat with a statement about the sleeping giant being awake. Do you think that's the story here or do you think San Antonio just met a team they could exploit an a fairly unique way and they'll drift back towards the "vs. Dallas" end of the spectrum in the next round? I'm not sure the Spurs are sputtering as much as they showed against the Mavs but I'm not sure they're as good as they look against Portland either.</p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span><b>J.R. Wilco:</b></span></h4>
<p>There's no doubt that the Spurs were a regular season behemoth -- best record in the league, etc. And they certainly didn't blaze through the first round, so the sleeping giant metaphor works at least that far. But there were extenuating circumstances in the transition between the 1st and 2nd round.</p>
<p>First, Tony Parker's sore back (one of the main "<a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24447541/tony-parker-out-for-foreseeable-future-with-a-variety-of-injuries">variety of maladies</a>" for which Popovich rested Parker in February) cropped up at the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs. It limited his effectiveness and although he still had big first halves, he was a shell of himself in the 3rd and 4th quarters. That seems to have been dealt with.</p>
<p>Second, <span>Rick Carlisle</span> made adjustments every bit as quickly as Popovich did. I know you wrote something on BlazersEdge about how good coaches make adjustments at halftime but the Spurs consider it a failure if they can't fix issues halfway through the first timeout. Well, that wasn't just happening on the San Antonio bench in the opening round. It was truly a case of the seven-game chess match, only the adjustments were happening multiple times a quarter between squads who share a division and know each other intimately. Everyone else may have already known how good Carlisle was, but those 7 games against Dallas really opened my eyes. He was a HUGE part of why that series went the distance. Well, that and Vince Carter's buzzer-beater.</p>
<p>Third, the dominance the Trail Blazers have enjoyed over the Spurs for the past four seasons plus and the utter demolition of Portland in the Western Semifinals may be the best argument yet that you can throw out regular season matchup numbers when two teams meet in the playoffs. (The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>/Spurs series -- San Antonio winning 10 straight games -- might be a close second.) Then there's the long-held belief most Pounders have in CIA Pop, the imaginary alter ego of Popovich that's planning, scheming, plotting and seeing every eventuality before the rest of the world knows there's an issue to discuss. CIA Pop would have thrown all of those games against Portland just to make it all the easier to crush the Blazers once the teams met with playoff advancement on the line.</p>
<p>And that wraps up the extenuating circumstances which leaves me free to discuss the Spurs as a narcoleptic colossus. I'd have to say that the jury is still out because while they've a couple of the league's best offenses, they haven't faced a particularly good defense yet. Until they do, I have to reserve judgment and try to temper my optimism. After the way last season ended, I think most Spurs fans are still proceeding with caution. Like you said, sometimes it difficult to tell whether the team is just that good, or whether they're just yet to meet their match.</p>
<p>What's left to say as we head in to a potential elimination game?</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.25em;">Dave Deckard:</b></p>
<p>Ummm... Yo mama so ugly she makes <span>Victor Claver's</span> free throws look good?</p>
<p>Sorry, we ARE still locked in battle, technically. It just slipped out.</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.25em;">J.R. Wilco:</b></p>
<p>You come at me with a yo mama joke on Mother's Day? How .. how dare you?</p>
<p>I'm not going to even dignify that with a response. I'm going to leave that to my faithful readers. C'mon, £ers. Help me out here. Take to the comments and hit Dave with your favorite classic yo mama joke. My only request is that you keep it clever and semi-basketball related, and avoid anything flat out demeaning to moms.</p>
<p>Fair enough? Let him have it!</p>
<p><b style="font-size: 1.25em;">Dave Deckard:</b></p>
<p>...said Portland's defense when asked about Tony Parker's jumper. Wait, what? Ummm...I mean...</p>
<p>Oh no you DIDN'T. You want to start something? Unlike the Trail Blazers, I fight back! With teeth!</p>
<p>Like J.R., I'd prefer to keep it somewhat classy though...more clever than mean. After all, we don't want to pay any fines for flagrant fouls. In any case, it's GOT to be more entertaining than this series has turned out to be, right?</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/12/5708914/spurs-vs-trail-blazers-fraternizing-with-the-enemy-sleeping-giantsJ.R. Wilco2014-05-11T21:26:44-05:002014-05-11T21:26:44-05:00GIF Breakdown: Spurs at Blazers Game 3
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hFb5trA7kwLExVkRFtdQxL-Uwxw=/0x160:2920x2107/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32905851/20140510_ads_sx3_388.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Spurs continued their domination of the Blazers in Game 3. They jumped on them from the start, Portland fought back to take the lead for 17 seconds before the Spurs controlled the rest of the game, weathering a couple of runs and responding with runs of their own. Let's check out some of the plays that stood out in this game. </p> <p>The previous two Breakdowns started with the first score of the game, and I don't think we should change what's working. Here's Tony Parker working a pick and roll with <span>Tiago Splitter</span>. Robin Lopez looks to contest a Tony shot, but with <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> having to account for Tiago, <span>Tim Duncan</span> is left wide open right next to the basket for an easy bucket.</p>
<p><img alt="1_tim" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438761/1_tim.gif"><br id="1399847472339"></p>
<p>This Kawhi kid is gaining confidence quickly. Here we see Leonard recover a jump ball, dribble down the floor, go behind his back to lose <span>Nicolas Batum</span>, and then Kawhi connects a one-handed 10-foot jumper.</p>
<p><img alt="2_whi" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438793/2_whi.gif"><br id="1399847740338"></p>
<p><span>Manu Ginobili</span> can sometimes see into the future. It doesn't always work, see: turnovers, but sometimes it's a thing of beauty. Here he sees Tiago Splitter scoring, so he zips a pass from the break to the opposite side elbow to Tiago, who takes one dribble before waltzing through the lane for a layup. It's amazing how many times Duncan has sent one of the Blazers to the ground. Old man strength I guess. @He's a wrecking ball out there.@</p>
<p><img alt="3_" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438833/3_.gif"><br id="1399848713374"></p>
<p>LaMarcus Aldridge and the Blazers do a better job of defending the really high-screen for Manu than they did during the last game. LaMarcus stays a couple of feet inside the three-point line this time and <span>Will Barton</span> is in the middle of the free throw line instead of at the elbow like <span>Mo Williams</span> in game 2. LaMarcus remembers that Manu <i>wants </i>to go left and keeps good position, so Manu makes the right play, kicking it out to a deadly long-distance shooter, but unfortunately the humidity in Portland was messing with Manu and Marco's telepathic connection and Marco jumps right just as Manu makes the pass to where Marco had just been. This was just enough to let Barton get back and force Marco to put the ball on the floor. Fortunately for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>, Marco gets this one to go.</p>
<p><img alt="4_marco" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438849/4_marco.gif"><br id="1399848923102"></p>
<p>Just a little bit of deception from San Antonio to get Marco Belinelli a good look from the top of the arc. Beli sets a screen to free Baynes, but the play is for him. He runs up to the top of the arc, taking off just as Baynes is in Wes Matthews' way. Boris Diaw sets another screen, Patty Mills makes the solid pass, and Marco knocks down the trey. Calm but deadly execution.</p>
<p><img alt="5_marco" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438865/5_marco.gif"><br id="1399849439396"></p>
<p>Manu works off a high pick from Aron Baynes again, and the Argentine kicks out to Boris Diaw, who goes all<i> Aggressive Boris</i> on Dorell Wright. Bobo respects Wright's closeout and just drives to the hole, defender glued to him the whole time, with no intention of passing the ball. He muscles his way into the lane and gets a tricky layup to go, high off the glass.</p>
<p><img alt="6_aggressive_diaw" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438881/6_aggressive_Diaw.gif"><br id="1399849678039"></p>
<p>When Danny Green beats your team off the dribble from half-court, you're doing it wrong. Lookin' good, V3RD3.</p>
<p><img alt="7_danny" class="photo" src="http://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438889/7_danny.gif"><br id="1399850082534"></p>
<p>Sometimes it just goes your way. Patty bricks a decent look and the rebound comes off so sharply that Tim is able to get a hand on it, despite being boxed out by two Portland defenders, and tips it to that fantastic Frenchman, Boris Diaw, who shows off his <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#BBIQ" target="_blank">BBIQ</a> with an excellent fake and finish for the and-one, and surely just annoying Lopez to no end. Hand slaps all around!</p>
<p><img alt="Timmy_tip" class="photo" src="http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438921/timmy_tip.gif"><br id="1399850382457"></p>
<p>Kawhi's been scoring once or twice a game from the post in this series. Here he backs down the much smaller Barton from the three point line, turns over his left shoulder and takes a one-handed short jumper. His release point is much too high for Barton to get to Whi's shot. Easy points.</p>
<p><img alt="9_whi_post" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438929/9_whi_post.gif"><br id="1399850502338"></p>
<p>I'm not going to show you the the shot where Tim Duncan passed Karl Malone to become fifth in all-time playoffs scoring. I'm going to show you the play right after. Duncan plays Damian Lillard farther away from the basket than would be ideal, but he doesn't want to give up an open mid-range look as Dame runs a pick-and-roll with Thomas Robinson. After Lillard makes the pass to Robinson, Duncan is able to get back to the rim to contest Robinson with a little bit of help from Splitter, and Robinson is forced to attempt a circus shot. He misses and Timmy makes the one-handed rebound, finishing the successful defensive play.</p>
<p>Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 40 minutes on Saturday night. He did not take any plays off and he did all of the little things - setting screens, altering shots and making outlet passes. He's the base of it all, and he's still really, really great at basketball. To the<i> Timeless One, </i>I'm glad you moved up the scoring list, but I'm happier that you just want to win and will do whatever you can to help your team do just that. You are the consummate teammate.</p>
<p><img alt="10_timmy_defense" class="photo" src="http://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/assets/4438993/10_timmy_defense.gif"><br id="1399851150933"></p>
<p>Good to great - the way of the Spurs.</p>
<p><img alt="10_marco" class="photo" src="http://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/assets/4439001/10_marco.gif"></p>
<p>The second half of the GIF Breakdown is <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/12/5708878/gif-breakdown-spurs-at-blazers-game-3-part-2" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/11/5707700/gif-breakdown-spurs-at-blazers-game-3Chris Itz2014-05-11T02:12:26-05:002014-05-11T02:12:26-05:00A brilliant night from Tony puts Spurs up 3-0
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XCg_uuaqymyykt95B35-6ztLegs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32877087/489393183.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Dykes</figcaption>
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<p>It was a story of two very different halves, but the Spurs resisted every Blazer run to win Game 3, 118-103. </p> <p>It was the <span>Tony Parker</span> Show in Game 3 of the second round playoff series between the Spurs and <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Trail Blazers</a>. The Frenchman once again displayed his brilliance, scoring a game-high 29 points as the "head of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a>' snake," as Pop <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jollyrogerwilco/status/465329843463536640">described his star point guard tongue-in-cheek</a> during his in-game interview.</p>
<p>The first quarter set the tone for the half. Though the Blazers hung tough through the first few minutes and even took a 13-12 lead at one point (and held the lead for longer than they had in the first two games combined), Tony Parker quickly proved too much for them. Parker poured in 12 points on a dazzling variety of jumpers, fakes, and drives. <span>Tiago Splitter</span> sent Portland's <span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span> a message with his unrelenting defensive pressure, and the Spurs led by 10 at quarter's end.</p>
<p>In the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/10/5705484/gamethread-for-san-antonio-spurs-at-portland-trail-blazers-may-10">Game Thread</a>, <i>syllabear</i> aptly called the second period The Massacre Quarter. It began with <span>Boris Diaw</span> stealing the ball from <span>Damian Lillard</span>, and it ended with <span>Danny Green</span> swiping another steal from <span>Will Barton</span> with one second remaining. Tony Parker continued his offensive display with eight points in the quarter, giving him 20 for the half. San Antonio built its lead to 23 at one point and ended the quarter up 60-40. <span>Tim Duncan</span> carved out yet another piece of history in his superlative career, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jollyrogerwilco/status/465334538374483968">passing Karl Malone and moving into 5th place</a> on the all-time playoff scoring list, trailing only Jordan, Kareem, Kobe, and Shaq. That's right, the only guys to have more postseason points are men who can be referred to by one name.</p>
<p>Third Quarter: Portland came out with a vengeance, reducing the San Antonio lead to 7 after a couple of Nic Batum three-pointers with 7:24 left in the 3rd, going on a 12-0 run at one point. The Spurs were able to fend off the Portland attack, however, and finished the quarter up 83-69, thanks to cool free-throw shooting and a few clutch baskets from Tiago Splitter, <span>Patty Mills</span> and Boris Diaw.</p>
<p>The fourth quarter was rife with cold shooting and mental breakdowns from the Spurs, reminiscent of the Dallas series. One memorable snafu was an inbounds pass from Boris Diaw directly to Portland's Batum, who promptly laid it up to cut the lead to 11. Damian Lillard (21 pts, 9 ast) and LaMarcus Aldridge (21 pts, 12 reb) found their scoring touch while the Spurs' starters were on the bench, and the Blazers gained momentum. Pop called timeout and put the starters back in, and the lead methodically grew back up to 19 due to hyper-active team defense and clutch offense from Duncan (19 points), Parker, and Leonard. The closest the Blazers came from there on was 12. After Kawhi's big Game 2, he followed it up with 16 points and 10 rebounds tonight, besides his usual suffocating defense on Damian Lillard and others. All five Portland starters finished in double figures. The Spurs also had five players in double figures, including Manu Ginobili (14 points) and Patty Mills (10 points).</p>
<p><b>Stat of the Night: </b>San Antonio's bench outscored Portland's bench 40-6.</p>
<p>Quick Notes:</p>
<ul>
<li><span>The Spurs have spent 134:25 of the current series with the lead, contrasted by the 0:33 Portland has held the lead. </span></li>
<li><span>In tonight's game, the Spurs shot 48.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. </span></li>
<li><span>The Spurs were perfect on free throws, making 25 of 25, led by <span>Manu Ginobili's</span> 10 of 10. </span></li>
<li><span>The Blazers doubled the Spurs' turnovers, 14-7, while the Spurs doubled the Blazers' steals, 10-5.</span></li>
<li><span>No one blocked a shot tonight.</span></li>
<li>Both teams had 23 assists. </li>
<li>The Spurs held the scoring advantage in the paint, 44-34.</li>
<li>SA has scored at least 60 points in the first half in each game of the series. </li>
<li>No NBA team in history has won a seven-game series after being down 3-0. </li>
</ul>
<p><font size="2"><b>Series Outlook: </b>See final Quick Note above. Portland finds itself in a very difficult position after losing on its home court. The Blazers will either respond like a cornered animal and give the Spurs the fight of their life in Game 4, or they will subconsciously accept being swept and coast to defeat. I tend to believe the former. I think this Blazer team found enough momentum at certain points tonight to possibly squeeze out a win next game. The potential is always there for the Spurs to experience a bit of a letdown after their outstanding performances in the last four games. We could see a blowout in Game 4, but it's more likely we'll see a nail-biter.</font></p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/11/5706104/resilient-spurs-deny-portland-win-118-103VoxMediaUser6958142014-05-10T22:57:41-05:002014-05-10T22:57:41-05:00Game Thread Game 3 Part Deux: Spurs @ Blazers
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<img alt="So am I shooting enough, Pop?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UbWcp24TRlsZ4tM9d2gdXuaapxY=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32873163/20140508_kkt_ai1_430.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>So am I shooting enough, Pop? | Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>I didn't watch the first half. Apparently, that didn't matter. And this Tony Parker kid might be worth keeping.</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/10/5706032/game-thread-game-3-part-deux-spurs-blazersCapHill2014-05-10T04:32:32-05:002014-05-10T04:32:32-05:00Game 3 Preview: Spurs at Blazers
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o-Tv3aesp_GLOA-_B9sqbD6r2K8=/0x96:4000x2763/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/32824379/488878577.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Covatta</figcaption>
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<p>With San Antonio up 2-0, the series heads to Portland as the Blazers attempt to bounce back from an ominous snake sighting and discouraging start. A win could help swing momentum back their way. </p> <div id="preview-wrapper">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><b>San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers</b></h3>
Moda Center, Portland, Or<br>May 10, 2014, 9:30 PM Spurs Time<br> TV: ESPN - RADIO: 1200 AM WOAI</div>
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<p>The last time the Spurs were up 2-0 in a series against Portland, it took a Memorial Day miracle to secure the edge in what was a very tight Western Conference Finals matchup. Two games into this second-round series and the gap between these two teams seems much greater.</p>
<p>The Spurs have handled the Blazers on both ends of the court in the playoffs, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/9/5699266/morning-rehash-snake-charmers">chopping off the head of their offensive attack</a> while dominating the bench battle. Thursday night's 114-97 victory was all but sealed by half-time and, just as in that game, Portland will need to rely on a come-from-behind push to make this a series again. So far we've seen the best possible outcome any Spurs fan could've hoped for against a potent Portland attack: San Antonio has minimized the impact of Portland's two All-Stars, taken away three-point looks and gotten into the passing lane. And the Blazers have given the Spurs no reason to reconsider their strategy.</p>
<p>On the other end of the court, Tony Parker has been a force. After going for 33 and 9 in Game 1, Portland gave Wesley Matthews the assignment to stop TP. While he struggled from the field, the Frenchman continued to push the ball in transition and find his teammates, finishing with 16 points and 10 assists. Better yet, Kawhi Leonard is coming alive, making an impact on both ends and hitting 8 of 9 shots in Game 2.</p>
<p>And while Portland's notoriously weak bench is looking less effective than ever (further troubled by the fact that guard <span>Mo Williams</span>, injured in Game 2, won't be playing in Game 3), the Spurs bench is only growing in strength. Aron 'This Guy' Baynes made an immediate impact in Game 1, while <span>Marco Belinelli</span>, who barely saw the floor against the Mavs, is back in the rotation and scoring from all over.</p>
<p>When the team puts in this kind of all-around performance, it's easy to forget that Tim Duncan is averaging a pedestrian 10 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Really, San Antonio needs Big Fun to keep doing what he's doing: try to negate Robin Lopez on the offensive glass and help Tiago Splitter and Boris Diaw contain LaMarcus Aldridge.</p>
<p>We've been aware of the <a href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/8/5695452/chess-match-terry-stotts-gregg-popovich-spurs-trail-blazers" target="_blank">Blazers' pieces</a> all season -- they have four guys in Aldridge, Batum, Lillard and Matthews putting in heavy minutes and carrying a big offensive load. In Game 2, Portland's bench played a total of 46 minutes, with Thomas Robinson's two-point output taking up 14 of those minutes. By doing this, the margin of error for the starters becomes minimal, and it's impossible to overcome the kind of poor shooting night Lillard and Aldridge had on Thursday.</p>
<p>Can Portland hold serve at home? I don't think so. While Dallas was able to stifle San Antonio in Round 1 with various lineups and defensive looks, <span>Terry Stotts</span> simply doesn't have the luxury of that kind of depth or versatility. What the Blazers need is to simply do what they're already doing, but better. That means Damian Lillard creating more off the pick-and-roll, LMA knocking down those contested jumpers, and Matthews and Batum contributing big on both ends.</p>
<p>There is always the chance that the Blazers ride home-court energy, catch fire from deep early, and manage to get a meaningful contribution from their bench -- but I don't see all the stars aligning tonight. This game will likely be closer than the last two, but I think the Spurs will have an answer for every Blazers run and, in the end, come out with the 3-0 series edge.</p>
<p>Matchup to watch: Splitter vs Aldridge. No individual battle wins this for either team, but Portland's offensive success starts here. After going off in Game 1, LMA was held to 6-23 shooting, and a lot of that is due to Sprinkles's post D. It'll take a big game from Aldridge to force San Antonio to change its tactics and open things up for his teammates, but it's not like hasn't done it already this postseason.</p>
<table cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" border="1" align="center" class="sbnu-legacy-content-table"><tbody>
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<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3">Game 3, Western Conference Semifinals, 2014 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba-playoffs">NBA Playoffs</a> </th>
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<td width="240"><center><img src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/SAS.gif" style="width: 120px; height: 76px;"></center></td>
<th width="20" align="center">@</th>
<td width="240"><center><img style="width: 120px; height: 76px;" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/img/2.0/sect/gameinfo/teamlogos/POR.gif"></center></td>
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<td width="240">
<center>Regular Season: 62-20 (30-11 road)</center> <center>Playoffs: 6-3 (2-2 away)</center>
</td>
<th width="20" align="center"><br></th>
<td width="240">
<center>Regular Season: 54-28 (31-10 home)</center> <center>Playoffs: 4-4 (2-2 home)</center>
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<td bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><b>May 10, 2014</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>Moda Center, Portland, Or</b></td>
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<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>9:30 pm CST</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="3"><b>TV: ESPN - Radio: 1200 WOAI</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Starters</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span>Damian Lillard</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PG</th>
<td width="240"><span>Tony Parker</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span>Wesley Matthews</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SG</th>
<td width="240"><span>Danny Green</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span>Nicolas Batum</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">SF</th>
<td width="240"><span>Kawhi Leonard</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span>LaMarcus Aldridge</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">PF</th>
<td width="240"><span>Tim Duncan</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right"><span>Robin Lopez</span></td>
<th width="20" align="center">C</th>
<td width="240"><span>Tiago Splitter</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th bgcolor="silver" align="center" colspan="3"><b>Advanced Stats</b></th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right">94.9 (12th)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">Pace</th>
<td width="240">95.0 (10th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right">111.5 (2nd)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">ORtg</th>
<td width="240">110.5 (7th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="240" align="right">107.4 (16th)</td>
<th width="20" align="center">DRtg</th>
<td width="240">102.4 (3rd)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th height="20" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"></th>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>The perspective of Blazers fans can be found here: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blazersedge.com/">Blazers Edge</a></p>
<p>Game Prediction: <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> by 8.</p>
<p>As always <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" target="_blank" href="http://www.poundingtherock.com/pages/ptr-lexicon#tonydominatefisher" title="In a completely understandable mistake, CapHill, while creating a Game Preview, used a prior preview for a Lakers game as a template, and neglected to delete all of the previous player specific details. As a result, the preview read that one of the keys to the game was 'Tony Parker needs to dominate [Derek] Fisher' in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Cap has since embraced this particular gaffe, but it's original glory can no longer be seen since Tim C. gallantly edited the page. So all that remains are our references to it.">Tony must dominate Fisher</a>, and you can get your San Antonio Spurs tickets from Daniel Farias with Spurs Sports & Entertainment:</p>
<p>Tel: 210-444-5607 | dfarias@attcenter.com</p>
https://www.poundingtherock.com/2014/5/10/5698536/game-3-preview-san-antonio-spurs-portland-trail-blazersBrunoPassos