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Trail Blazers: 5 Reasons They’ll Win Game 3

By Steven Dewald

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) grabs a rebound against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 11, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers mascot Blaze waves the team flag before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Hornets at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers mascot Blaze waves the team flag before the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Charlotte Hornets at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Rip City will get loud, real loud.

Perry Waggoner (RCP Staff Writer)

Remember when the Trail Blazers wanted the Clippers in the first round? Well, we’re two games into the series and it’s becoming more and more clear that Lillard and Co. didn’t know what they were getting into. It’s been ugly folks. Don’t spend too much time in solace though, as I foresee brighter skies in the days to come.

In games three and four Portland will finally have one major advantage: The Moda Center. It’s no secret that Portland has one of the best fan bases in the league and the team will need them now more than ever if they want a chance at fighting their way back in the series. Luckily, the numbers back up my hope of more competitive action. Not only does Lillard shoot better at home, he also passes and rebounds the ball much more effectively in Portland. If you’ve watched even a minute of this series, you’d know that any sort of favorable stats for him would be graciously accepted at this point.

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On the bigger scale, only six teams in the NBA have a better home record than the Trail Blazers (28-13). If they can harness even a little of the energy that the fans have been giving all season long, they may just have a fighting chance. Game three won’t be about match-ups and history, this game will be all about the 19,000 sixth men and women in the arena.