The three main forces of rotation
Who would have thought that the Spurs, who have been away from the playoffs for two years, can still squeeze the Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoffs after sending away DeRozan and Aldridge. Regardless of whether the Spurs can eventually enter the playoffs, as long as they can squeeze out the Lakers this season, then it is a success. In the last game, Popovich took a break from Murray, but the Spurs still beat the Blazers, and in this game, the Spurs' opponents were still portland Blazers, and the team was missing 8 people due to injury.
The Lakers lost to the Nuggets again, which gave the Spurs a lead of 1.5 wins, as long as the Spurs won three of the next five games, then the Lakers completely lost the play-off hopes. However, this game against the Blazers, Spurs star Murray continues to be absent, and Peltel and McDermott can not play, which is a bit elusive.
There was no suspense in the game
But even so, the Spurs still had the upper hand in the first quarter with excellent team coordination. Vassell stepped forward and had seven points, one rebound and one assist on 2-of-3 shooting, Johnson also had 5 points and one assist, the team scored 26 points in the first quarter, and the trail Blazers, who were missing majors, only scored 23 points. After returning from the second quarter, the Blazers ushered in an outbreak, mcLemore on the bench shot 4 of 5, 2 of 2 three-pointers, 11 points and 2 assists in a single quarter, Brown also had 8 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal, and the team scored 33 points in a single quarter.
The Spurs were a bit overwhelmed, Kyle and others - Johnson although 7 shots 4 of 7 to get 12 points, 1 rebound and 1 block, but the team only scored 22 points, so at the end of the half, the Spurs were 48-56 behind the Blazers by 8 points. In the second half, the Spurs also ushered in an outbreak, Jones had 9 points and 1 assist on 4-of-4 shooting, Johnson hit 2 three-pointers, the team blossomed at multiple points, and scored 34 points in a single quarter, while the Blazers only scored 16 points. So at the end of the third quarter, the Spurs managed to overtake by 10 points.
In the final quarter that determined the outcome of the game, the Spurs played steadily, the Blazers continued to make mistakes, and Collins, who came to the starting center position, got 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, as if to prove himself again with the Spurs, Johnson also had 5 points and 1 rebound, the Spurs scored 31 points in the last quarter, and the Blazers only scored 20 points. In the end, the San Antonio Spurs won 113-92 at home to the Portland Trail Blazers and successfully won two consecutive wins.
The Spurs are only 2 games away
After winning this game, the Spurs have already led the Lakers by 2 wins, and then, both teams have only 4 games left, what does this mean? As long as the Spurs win 2 more games, no matter what kind of record the Lakers achieve, including 4 wins, they can only be out. Next, the Spurs' four opponents are the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Warriors and Lone Rangers, which are very difficult, and it is not so easy to win 2 games, but the Lakers' schedule is more difficult, and the possibility of winning all four games is even more slim.
In this game, Kelden Johnson became the scoring king, hit 6 three-pointers to get 28 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, and the Spurs' reverse list is indeed not simple. Collins started the game and also had a double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds, and it has to be said that Popovich does have a way. Jones had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Diop had 12 points and seven rebounds. On the Blazers side, Ubanks had 13 points and 13 rebounds against the old master, Keane Johnson had 19 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and McLemore also had 19 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists.