The Official Western Conference Semi Thread: Portland v San Antonio

[Pie Legend]

Finally the blazers show up

 

[Ron]

Disappointing game, but the Spurs are allowed a poor one when they have dominated the first 3 games.

 

[PHX]

Not sure I'd choose "All I do is win" as the song to play over the loud-speaker when that just made them only 3-1 down in the series.

 

[Westy Bogan]

Spurs always watching the pennies... they welcome another home game to close this out

 

[djrossie16]

Good to see the Blazers get a win. Would've been crap to be swept.

 

[SuperCats9]

Spurs to close this out quite easily in game 5

 

[Son of Skeletor]

Spurs always watching the pennies... they welcome another home game to close this out

I'll proffer a slightly different theory.

OKC/LAC is destined to go six games, quite probably seven.

The Spurs are in a groove, and as much as they'd enjoy a little breather before the Conference Finals, they probably don't want to have an entire week off (see Essendon circa 1990).

Of course they wouldn't have deliberately thrown the game today, but I doubt that they'll be losing much sleep over the result. Portland wouldn't have wanted the ignominy of being swept either.

 

[didaksrightfoot]

I'll proffer a slightly different theory.

OKC/LAC is destined to go six games, quite probably seven.

The Spurs are in a groove, and as much as they'd enjoy a little breather before the Conference Finals, they probably don't want to have an entire week off (see Essendon circa 1990).

Of course they wouldn't have deliberately thrown the game today, but I doubt that they'll be losing much sleep over the result. Portland wouldn't have wanted the ignominy of being swept either.

I like both of your theories.

I think the truth is just that the West is just that tough and the Blazers are a good enough team to not be swept, and the Spurs are a team that for all their strengths do still rely a lot on their outside shooting, and when shots aren't falling they are quite beatable.

The Spurs should close this out comfortably at home in 5, but I am still undecided on who would be a better matchup in the conference finals - the Thunder are easier for Pop to 'plan' for defensively - but planning doesn't make it any easier to stop Durant and Westbrook.

 

[SuperCats9]

Agreed that the Blazers are to good to be swept, it was unlikely they'd play 4 bad games in a row, they finally got things together in game 4.

Spurs should close this out, last thing they would want would be the blazers winning game 5 and getting a sniff

 

[footy75]

yep would be very surprised if spurs don't win comfortably tomorrow

 

[SuperCats9]

Spurs up 49-37 late in the 2nd, playing some great basketball again.

 

[djrossie16]

Parker in the locker room for a niggle. Mills picking up the slack.

 

[SuperCats9]

Well just as I say that Parker is off injured, and the blazers close to within 7.

Will be an interesting 2nd half.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Well just as I say that Parker is off injured, and the blazers close to within 7.

Will be an interesting 2nd half.

We are still hanging around.

Need more scoring punch from Wes and Lillard in the second half as the bench hasnt provided much (not that it normally does)

 

[Satan]

parker finished for the night, chance for others ( looking at you Patrick) to show your worth

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Well nice to see we turned up in the second half

 

[djrossie16]

watta flopper you are manu

 

[Ron]

Glad the Spurs can close this out, give Tony a nice rest.

 

[djrossie16]

Testament to the Spurs depth that with Parker out (with the form he's in) they can put away the Blazers with ease.
Good season Portland

 

[didaksrightfoot]

As someone who's only following on espn's gamecast - has there been anything said about Tony's injury? On the one hand, Pop is the first guy to just let him rest if there is any doubt at all, on the other, the Spurs don't have the best luck when it comes to injuries in the playoffs.

Also did the Blazers just go on a 7-0 run and then throw in their garbage guys? You cut it to 19pts with 3 minutes left in your last game of the season, it's the playoffs - there is still a mathematical chance and there's nothing to gain from resting your guys.

 

[BG32]

Bye have a great time!

 

[peternorth]

good job portland. upgrade your bench and a few other things and you'll be back.

The blazers have been extinguished