Blazers Shift Focus to the Defending NBA Champs
After the emotional high of knocking out the Los Angeles Clippers at home, the Portland Trail Blazers did not have time to celebrate. It will be one of the quickest breaks between games in the NBA playoffs, if not the quickest. About 38 hours after game six concluded in Portland, game one begins in the Bay Area. Refocusing after a lengthy series win is tough task for any team. This is especially true when you’re next opponent is the defending NBA champion and regular season record-breaking Golden State Warriors. However, because of the Stephen Curry injury, it’s important the Blazers are ready to steal one of the first two games on the road.
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It is no secret that the most important and popular player in the NBA is injured. It will be the story of the league over the next two weeks. Head coach Steve Kerr already hinted that Curry is ahead of schedule and would not rule him out for game two. However, the Blazers have no time to speculate on his return. If anyone watched the Warriors without Curry this season, they are still great. As the Rockets found out, the Warriors can still blow out opponents without Curry. Fortunately, the Blazers are a better team than the Rockets and will provide a great challenge to the Curry-less Warriors.
If Portland has any shot in the series, they will have to take one of the first two games on the road. Obviously, that is easier said than done. The Golden State Warriors lost only two games at home the entire season. It is nearly impossible to beat a full strength Warriors team in the Bay Area and it is almost a certainty that Curry will return by game five when the series returns to the Bay Area. Just like last series, (game five in Los Angeles) the Blazers need to grind out a result on the road with the other teams’ star player injured.
The man everyone will be counting on to lead the Blazers to victory, Damian Lillard, should be up for the challenge. He enjoyed some memorable shooting performances against the Warriors this season, including topping 50 points in a win shortly after the all-star break. In the four games against Golden State this season, Lillard averaged 36.5 points and shot 52% from three point range. Despite winning the series against the Clippers, Lillard had some trouble finding his stroke. Fortunately, Blazers’ role players (Moe Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Mason Plumlee specifically) had breakout games and carried the offensive load while Lillard struggled.
With potentially the greatest team of all-time up next for the Blazers, they need to fire on all cylinders. The Blazers will not have the luxury of staying in games while shooting poorly, such as the Los Angeles Clippers series. The stars and role players have to shoot well to keep pace with the Warriors offense, especially in Golden State. The Blazers might even need another 50 point game from Lillard. It seems unrealistic, but we have learned over the years, and more specifically this season: Don’t doubt Lillard or his Blazers.