The first meeting of the year between the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs takes place at the Moda Center tonight at 7:00 p.m. PST. The Spurs ended the Trail Blazers season last year, defeating them 4-1 in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Trail Blazers seem to have learned from that series and have started the year off on the right foot. The Spurs continue to be the perfect model team and will once again be a tough out in the West. The game can be viewed CSNNW and heard on Rip City Radio 620 AM.
The Trail Blazers finally get a chance to match up with the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last season. After losing the series to the Spurs in five games, Aldridge said what the entire organization was feeling: the Spurs “showed us where we are trying to go.” The fast start to this season might back up that statement.
While the Trail Blazers have struggled to get the offense back where it was at the start of the season, they have improved their defense tremendously. In their last six games, the Trail Blazers have failed to score 100 points or more four times. The offense has definitely fallen off and they are now 14th in the league in scoring at 102.0 points. On the contrary, the defense has been spectacular. The Trail Blazers are fifth in the league in points allowed (95.7) and their defense has been able to help them win games where the offense has struggled. That sounds like a certain championship team.
May 12, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews (2) during the third quarter in game four of the second round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
The Spurs have been built on defense. They are 15th in the league in scoring (101.5) but they are second in points allowed (94.9). In a league where offense seems to reign supreme, the defensive minded teams win championships. The Spurs have shown other teams how to win but no one can do it quite like them. They have a unique chemistry and blend of players that fit perfectly. Head Coach Gregg Popovich runs a tight ship and is not afraid to show veteran, All-Star players a little tough love.
The Spurs have recently been on a roller coaster. Their last five games have seen a simple pattern: win, loss, win, loss, win. Let’s hope the trend continues tonight as the Trail Blazers will look to win their 10th game in the last 12 meetings with the Spurs in Portland.
The Trail Blazers must take advantage of the Spurs’ absent stars. Even without Parker, Duncan, Ginobili, and Splitter, the Spurs are a handful because they’re deep bench pretty regularly. Everyone will be ready to go. Still, mismatches abound between Joseph and Lillard, Aldridge and Diaw, Lopez and Baynes. This is where the Trail Blazers’ defensive execution is extra important, since stopping the Spurs’ plug-ins from scoring is reasonably doable and can give them a healthy lead to work with.
I think the most intriguing matchup of the night is Leonard and Batum. They are both so well-rounded and can affect the game in multiple ways. Leonard sat two games with a bruised hand but returned with a vengeance last night in Denver. He scored 18 points and had eight rebounds. He even had a career-high six blocks and a career-high-tying five steals. That’s quite the game! Batum has struggled to score this season. His average is down to 8.9 points, well below his career marks of 11.4 points. However, his rebounding and distribution have been great. That’s why these two players are so similar in my mind. If they aren’t threatening you with their scoring, they can kill you with their sneaky ability to rebound, assist, and block shots.
These teams meet twice this week as the Trail Blazers travel to San Antonio on Friday. This game should be a drag out battle and a joy to watch. If the Trail Blazers want to protect home court, they must be more efficient on the offensive the Spurs end and hold them to a low shooting percentage. Easier said then done.