<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
March 19, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

5 Keys For Blazers vs. Warriors

The Columbian
Published:

The Golden State Warriors, even though they are without Stephen Curry for most likely the first three games, are still the heavy favorites to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in the best-of-seven series.

Here are five things to watch in this best-of-seven series.

1. When is Stephen Curry coming back?

This is the number one thing to watch in the league so obviously it must take top billing on this list. His injury and vague two-week time line for return has made the matchup much more intriguing. The Blazers now have a great chance to make it a series and steal a win at Oracle Arena, where the Warriors went 39-2 during the regular season. If the Blazers do catch the Warriors early in the series, it could set up a dramatic return to add another chapter to Golden State’s season of seasons.

2. Can the Blazers keep defending like this?

You saw the Clippers bloodied and busted at the end of Game 6. But long before the Clippers’ championship dreams doomed to injury along the Oregon Trail, the Blazers had suddenly started to lock them up after Game 1. In fact, Portland’s defensive rating against the Clippers was actually more than three points per 100 possessions better when Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were in the series, according to NBA.com. The Blazers have the athleticism and the shooting, but they’ve also got to match the toughness and focus of the Warriors. The Blazers showed in the last series that they are capable of focused, active and tough defense against elite NBA offense. The Blazers learn from their experiences quickly and the longer Curry remains a spectator, the longer the Blazers will have to learn the ins and outs of the Warriors offense without considering its most dangerous weapon. .

3. When the Warriors put Draymond Green in at center, how will Terry Stotts answer?

In terms of tactics, this will likely be the one that is most discussed. Draymond Green at center is one of the many great options Warriors coach Steve Kerr will have to throw at the Blazers and of course, starting Green at center in Game 4 of last year’s NBA Finals turned around for them. Mason Plumlee was a revelation in the first round and although Green’s athleticism is a problem for anybody, Plumlee’s raw athleticism and high basketball IQ might make him the best option. If his height makes a difference, that would be a coup but height only matters so much against Green. Al-Farouq Aminu is another option as well and one the Blazers used against Golden State in the regular season, but Blazers coach Terry Stotts probably has to ride the hot hand with Plumlee now.

4. Can the Blazers get good shots?

Plumlee’s point center skills led to open looks for 3’s, backdoor cuts and even some of his own drives to the lane. But the Warriors don’t trap like the Clippers do and those passes to Plumlee may not be as accessible. The Warriors switch pick-and-rolls and have their big men drop back more than the Clippers, but most teams have adjusted to limit the play of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Stotts and assistant coach Jay Triano are a great X’s and O’s team when it comes to adjustments, but over the past two seasons the Warriors have had the talent and versatility to squeeze the life out of the league’s best offenses.

5. Can the dual abilities of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum give the Blazers the crunch time edge?

First, the Blazers would have to get to crunch time, a tough task against the Warriors. If there, can their two guards make big shots as they did against the Clippers? It’s the greatest team ever and nobody would fault the Blazers if they didn’t shoot well. But nobody should be shocked if they get cooking. The Blazers’ two-pronged pick-and-roll attack is a headache no matter what scheme or trap you throw at them. Defense wins championships, but great offense beats great defense in the playoffs. If Lillard and McCollum answer the bell, as they usually do, this series will be better than the odds suggest.

Loading...