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05-08-2014, 11:15 PM
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By Sean Meagher | [email protected]
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on May 08, 2014 at 9:08 PM, updated May 08, 2014 at 9:10 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/05/portland_trail_blazers_vs_san_antonio_spurs_game_2 _1.html
SAN ANTONIO – The Portland Trail Blazers fell to 0-2 in their best-of-seven series with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, dropping Game 2 114-97 Thursday night.
Down by 20 in the second half, Portland cut San Antonio's lead to eight midway through the fourth quarter, 91-98, but that was as close as the visitors would get down the stretch.
Kahwi Leonard scored 20 points, including a back-breaking three with 3:18 left to put San Antonio up 107-93 and quiet any comeback attempt, to lead seven Spurs in double figures.
Portland got off to a much better start in Game 2 – despite making just 4 of their first 15 shots – even grabbing their first lead of the series (7-4) early in the game. The Blazers entered the second quarter down just three points, before the flood gates reopened. San Antonio put together another masterful second quarter, outscoring the Blazers 41-25 on 63 percent from the floor.
The Spurs have totaled 135 points in the first two quarters of Games 1 and 2 while limiting LaMarcus Aldridge to 21 points on 9 for 27 from the floor in both first halves. Portland again edged San Antonio in the second half, 46-44.
Nicolas Batum led the Blazers with 21 points to go with nine rebounds. Damian Lillard had 19 points, but scored just four in the third and fourth quarters. Aldridge added 16 and Wesley Matthews scored 14.
Spirited 77: The second quarters of this series have been the gut punches for the Blazers. The Spurs have scored 77 points combined in the second periods of Games 1 and 2. San Antonio had 36 points on 64 percent (14 for 22) shooting in the second quarter of Game 1, with Marco Belinelli (9) and Patty Mills (8) combining for 17 off the bench to give the Spurs a 26-point lead at the half. Thursday, San Antonio dumped 41 on Portland to turn a three-point lead after one quarter into a 19-point advantage at the break. The Spurs shot 63 percent, getting 12 assists on 17 made baskets – including 5 of 7 from three-point range. San Antonio hauled in five offensive rebounds, leading to a 12-2 advantage in second chance points, and outscored Portland 10-0 in fast break points in the second quarter. Five Spurs scored six points or more in the frame. San Antonio's 41 second quarter points are tied for the most allowed by Portland in any quarter in the playoffs in franchise history.
Taming Tony: Portland's adjustments on point guard Tony Parker – sliding Lillard off and defending him with the bigger Batum and Matthews – proved effective ... at least for one game. Parker missed five of his first six shots and scored just two points in the first quarter, a game after he dropped in 13 on 5 for 9 in the opening frame of Game 1. He puzzled Portland throughout the first outing of the series, scoring a game-high 33 to go with nine assists. Despite a strong second quarter (8 points on 4 for 6 from the floor), Parker finished with 16 points on just 8 for 19 shooting to go with a game-high 10 assists.
Barton off the bench: Terry Stotts turned to Will Barton off the bench early and the second-year wing rewarded his coach. Barton shot the ball extremely well, scoring 13 points on 5 for 5 from the floor. He's scored 21 points on 8 for 9 in the series.
Next up: The series shifts to Portland for Game 3 Saturday, with tip-off set for 7:30 on ESPN.
-- Sean Meagher
By Sean Meagher | [email protected]
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on May 08, 2014 at 9:08 PM, updated May 08, 2014 at 9:10 PM
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2014/05/portland_trail_blazers_vs_san_antonio_spurs_game_2 _1.html
SAN ANTONIO – The Portland Trail Blazers fell to 0-2 in their best-of-seven series with the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, dropping Game 2 114-97 Thursday night.
Down by 20 in the second half, Portland cut San Antonio's lead to eight midway through the fourth quarter, 91-98, but that was as close as the visitors would get down the stretch.
Kahwi Leonard scored 20 points, including a back-breaking three with 3:18 left to put San Antonio up 107-93 and quiet any comeback attempt, to lead seven Spurs in double figures.
Portland got off to a much better start in Game 2 – despite making just 4 of their first 15 shots – even grabbing their first lead of the series (7-4) early in the game. The Blazers entered the second quarter down just three points, before the flood gates reopened. San Antonio put together another masterful second quarter, outscoring the Blazers 41-25 on 63 percent from the floor.
The Spurs have totaled 135 points in the first two quarters of Games 1 and 2 while limiting LaMarcus Aldridge to 21 points on 9 for 27 from the floor in both first halves. Portland again edged San Antonio in the second half, 46-44.
Nicolas Batum led the Blazers with 21 points to go with nine rebounds. Damian Lillard had 19 points, but scored just four in the third and fourth quarters. Aldridge added 16 and Wesley Matthews scored 14.
Spirited 77: The second quarters of this series have been the gut punches for the Blazers. The Spurs have scored 77 points combined in the second periods of Games 1 and 2. San Antonio had 36 points on 64 percent (14 for 22) shooting in the second quarter of Game 1, with Marco Belinelli (9) and Patty Mills (8) combining for 17 off the bench to give the Spurs a 26-point lead at the half. Thursday, San Antonio dumped 41 on Portland to turn a three-point lead after one quarter into a 19-point advantage at the break. The Spurs shot 63 percent, getting 12 assists on 17 made baskets – including 5 of 7 from three-point range. San Antonio hauled in five offensive rebounds, leading to a 12-2 advantage in second chance points, and outscored Portland 10-0 in fast break points in the second quarter. Five Spurs scored six points or more in the frame. San Antonio's 41 second quarter points are tied for the most allowed by Portland in any quarter in the playoffs in franchise history.
Taming Tony: Portland's adjustments on point guard Tony Parker – sliding Lillard off and defending him with the bigger Batum and Matthews – proved effective ... at least for one game. Parker missed five of his first six shots and scored just two points in the first quarter, a game after he dropped in 13 on 5 for 9 in the opening frame of Game 1. He puzzled Portland throughout the first outing of the series, scoring a game-high 33 to go with nine assists. Despite a strong second quarter (8 points on 4 for 6 from the floor), Parker finished with 16 points on just 8 for 19 shooting to go with a game-high 10 assists.
Barton off the bench: Terry Stotts turned to Will Barton off the bench early and the second-year wing rewarded his coach. Barton shot the ball extremely well, scoring 13 points on 5 for 5 from the floor. He's scored 21 points on 8 for 9 in the series.
Next up: The series shifts to Portland for Game 3 Saturday, with tip-off set for 7:30 on ESPN.
-- Sean Meagher