Blazers disappointing game one

Portland Outmatched in Game One

Caleb Clearman

The Portland Trail Blazers knew their matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semi Finals wasn’t going to be easy. The Blazers did not expect what they had coming for them in Game One. San Antonio came out and showed exactly why they are the favorites in the Western Conference winning comfortably 116-92. The Blazers were outmatched and outclassed right from the get go.

The big question going into the matchup was how Portland was going to stop Tony Parker and San Antonio’s pick and roll. The Blazers started the game with Damian Lillard guarding Parker, and the 13-year veteran made the most of the matchup. Parker started hot going 5-9 for 13 points early and getting great looks for his mid range jump shot.

The biggest problem however was Portland’s offense. The Blazers shot a miserable 21% in the first quarter and dug themselves into a 29-16 hole to start the game. All season long 3 point shooting propelled Portland in big games. However, Tuesday night Portland got their first three from Will Barton with 11 minutes left in the 4^th quarter.

Give credit to the Spurs as they came into Game One with a fantastic game plan, set out by Coach of the Year Gregg Popovich. The veteran team and last years runner up came out aggressive on both the offensive and defense ends. You could tell from the get go that San Antonio wanted to take the ball out of Damian Lillard’s hands. The second point guard was put under tremendous pressure in the opening quarters as Tony Parker made it hard for him to get any good looks at the basket. Lillard struggled all night shooting only 6-15 from the field for 17 points.

Just as it has been all year, the Spurs bench was fantastic Tuesday night. 19 points from Marco Belinelli and double-digit outputs form former Blazer Patty Mills and relative unknown Aron Baynes gave San Antonio the help it needed.

The talk leading up to the series would be the point guard matchup between Damian Lillard and Tony Parker. Veteran guard Tony Parker had lots to prove and needed a big game one to show Damian Lillard who the better point guard in this series was. Parker did just that, shooting 13-24 for 33 points to go along with 9 assists. Parker had his way all game long, working beautiful pick and rolls with San Antonio big man Tim Parker.

Portland will have to change their game plan going into Game 2 in order to be competitive. Their biggest problem in Game One was shooting. All year Portland was a fantastic shooting team, launching 25 3-pointers and game and connecting on just above 8. Tuesday night Portland attempted only 16 3 pointers, most of them in garbage time at the end of the game. One bright spot was the play of Lamarcus Aldridge, this years all star scored 32 points on 12 of 25 shooting to go along with his 14 rebounds. Aldridge will need to post similar number all series long in order for Portland to have any chance of advancing to the Western Conference Finals.

Game 2 is Thursday night in San Antonio and Portland will look to overcome a 1-0 series deficit and redeem themselves from a disappointing 116- 92 loss in Game One.