The Spurs come into this series coming off of seven game series with the Dallas Mavericks. The speed of the Mavs caused the Spurs some trouble as well as their duo of Ellis and Dirk. The Spurs had the best record in all of the NBA and every year everybody thinks that the Spurs will fall apart and every year they keep preforming well and surprising people. They have a older big three that keeps preforming well including on of the most underrated point guards in the NBA. One thing to keep in might with them is how their starting shooting guard and small forward preform throughout the series. These two player will have to play well for them to move on in the playoffs.
Blazers
The Blazers would of had a seven game series of their own if it was not for the heroics of their up and coming point guard Damian Lillard making a game winning three pointer at the buzzer to win game six. The Blazers are led by Lillard and their start power forward Aldridge. Aldridge was on fire in this series especially for the first two games of the series where he averaged 45 points. The other players like their shooting guard for example will have to preform well in this series if they want to win this series and move on.
BACKCOURTS:
Spurs
The Spurs starting backcourt consists of one of the most underrated points guards in the NBA in Tony Parker. Parker is an experienced veteran who knows how to win and is both great at both passing and scoring. Their shooting guard is great at shooting threes but sometimes goes into cold spurts. He could be one of the x-factors in determining who wins this series and moves on.
Blazers
The Blazers backcourt is one of the up and coming back courts that is good now but could turn into one of the top 5 in the NBA. Lillard is already one of the better point guards in the NBA and could turn out to be top 5 in the NBA. Their shooting guard plays good defense and shoots the ball fairly well. He will be an x-factor for the Blazers. One of the things to look at is which starting shooting guard plays better in this series.
FRONTCOURT
Spurs
The Spurs front court consist of one two up and coming player which are their small forward and center. The other player in their starting front court is Mr. Fundamental in Timmy Duncan. He has been one of the best players in the league ever since he has drafted a long time ago. You can basically put him down for a 10 points and 10 rebounds every game. His position battle with Aldridge will be a fun one to watch. However it will be important to see how their 3 and 5 do and they will need to do well to win this series.
Blazers
The Blazers are often looked over especially their power forward Aldridge. He played like a superstar in the first round series against the Rockets and if he keeps playing like that it will be hard for the Spurs to guard him and will open it up for the rest of his teammates. Lopez the center was a underrated pick up in the offseason. Also their small forward is a veteran that is good for a mostly young team. They will have to have good play from him as a role player to win this series.
Bench
Spurs
The Spurs have two of the best bench players in all of the NBA in Ginoblli and Mills. Ginoblli is the third part of their big three and is really good at getting to the rim and also has a good jumper. Mills has been stuck on the Spur's bench for a few years but the past couple years has finally been given a chance and is making the most of it. The thing to watch for is do the Spurs have a third and fourth player off of the bench that is contributes consistently throughout the series.
Blazers
The Blazers do not have a very deep bench at all at will need at least 2 to three player to contribute throughout this series. The best player on their bench is probably Mo Williams and he isn't really that good. They will need him and the rest of their bench to show up if they want to beat the Spurs who made the finals last year.
PREDICTION: The Spurs have better players, a better bench, more veteran leadership, and a better and deeper bench. This is not saying that the Blazers are a bad team they are really good they are just a year or two away from being able to get to the finals. Blazers get a few good players either from the draft or free agency and you will be in contention to make the finals, but right now you just aren't deep enough. Spurs in 6.
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