Kawhi Leonard (hand) probable to return against Trail Blazers
By Ryan Allison
2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will be a game-time decision after missing 15 games due to a right hand injury.
Tonight at 5:30 p.m. PST, the Portland Trail Blazers visit the AT&T Center to take on the San Antonio Spurs. After losing to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, the Trail Blazers head out on the road seeking their third win against the Spurs this season. The defending champs have struggled since mid-December but hope to change their fortune with eight of their next 10 games at home. The game can be seen on CSNNW and heard on Rip City Radio 620 AM.
The road has been fairly kind to the Trail Blazers this season. They are 12-5 away from the Moda Center but their road strength will be tested as nine of their remaining 15 games before the All-Star break will be away from home. Visiting San Antonio might be a great place to start the Portland on the winning path. The Trail Blazers have won their previous two meetings this season, but something is distinctly different this time.
The Spurs are healthy. Their starters will not rest, Parker’s hamstring is healed, and Leonard is reasonably good to go. Leonard missed the last 15 games and last played on December 15th against the Trail Blazers. A lingering hand injury kept him out of games but probably not out of shape. He is probable for tonight’s game and should provide much needed production if he plays. Popovich could ease him back into the rotation but if he’s 100 percent, Popovich will use him at full capacity. Leonard had 21 points and nine rebounds in his only game against the Trail Blazers this season.
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However; this game should be tight. Lillard almost single-handedly beat the Spurs the last time out. He scored a career-high 43 points, including nine points in the third overtime period. He was 16-29 from the field and played a game-high 53 minutes. His success against the Spurs has been out of this world. Lillard has averaged 27.8 points in nine regular season meetings during his career, which is his best mark against any opponent. He didn’t have a great game on Wednesday and this matchup with the Spurs seems like the perfect way to get him back on track.
The Spurs are 7-9 since December 15th and most of those games have been close enough to go either way. Even though they haven’t been playing like the Spurs that won it all last year, they understand that the NBA season is a marathon, not a sprint. Head Coach Gregg Popovich has not been afraid to shake things up by resting his veterans or subbing out the entire lineup during a game. That’s what makes him a great coach and what makes the Spurs so dangerous in the postseason.
Even though the Trail Blazers lost on Wednesday, there were a few really good signs. First, they outrebounded the Clippers 48-44. Without Lopez and Freeland, one big concern was the ability to rebound the ball. The Trail Blazers have been able to remain the league’s top rebounding team in the absence of two big men. Rebounding will be one key to winning tonight’s game. The Trail Blazers also outscored the Clippers in the paint 28-24. Yes, you read that right. The lane was shut down and it will be important for the Trail Blazers to do that again tonight as well.
Head Coach Terry Stotts may need to use more of the bench tonight in order to keep up with the Spurs fresh lineups. He only used three reserves on Wednesday and needs to be willing to bring in Thomas Robinson, Allen Crabbe, or Will Barton to provide fresh legs and a spark. If the Trail Blazers can connect from distance and handle the wonky lineups Popovich will throw at them, they will be in a place to win the game.