The Blazers played hard the last game. Harder than I’ve seen them play all year. Everything was out there. The comeback at the beginning of the second half was unbelievable, and they nearly pulled one off in the 4th quarter too. This might tell them something: the types of runs they make and timing of them generally are going to be crucial. If anything is clear, it is that Stotts is a master at precisely this sort of thing and cares a lot about it. It’s just that to do such a thing requires everything from these starters. I’ve never seen this group more tired than they were in the last fourth quarter. And either the bench has to step up (which they didn't at all the last game) or the starts have to muster the same sort of energy tonight, and deal with the same sort of fatigue.
This is key for Aldridge, above all: it simply has to remain a viable option for them to dump the ball to him when things go awry, even if the Spurs have—and they really have—worked extremely hard and with wonderful skill to take away that option. And because they are so big in the paint, he will have to simply put up his fade and make it. That is not a spot up-shot, however, for him, but something that requires some time with the ball, and the Spurs have been excellent at disrupting his rhythm.
But above all the Blazers have to come out with composure. Lillard’s sub-zero attitude has to be that of the entire team. The last game was full of so much energy, so much effort, on their part, and was so desperate and intense, if they add to that the immense composure they brought to the whole Houston series, they’ll be in good shape and make a good shot at taking back a game. Matthews has to destroy Parker like he destroyed Harden: cooly, intensely, relentlessly. Batum has to be willing to take those shots. Everyone, in fact, has to be less hesitant to shoot and just absolutely ice cool when they get the ball. I think they've got this down after the last game, so be ready to see more effort, but also much more control out there.
It remains to be seen whether the Spurs will come out with the same sort of energy themselves and disrupt this--they'll be trying their damndest to, that's for sure. They can work so hard to blow you out in the first quarter because they have such a deep bench, and I think they’ll try the same thing this game. Kawhi will again probably have a great game. Look for him again to guard Aldridge, which is one of the more amazing things you’ll see all year: that is how great a defender Kawhi is, and how wide his range can go.
I still doubt it will be the Blazer’s last game: it’s entirely possible for a team that is outmatched to do something and seize the moment. The Spurs have had an agenda in seizing it, after their troublesome Dallas series. But the Blazers can make it theirs instead.
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