The Portland Trail Blazers will face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 on Tuesday at the Frost Bank Center. Portland hopes to bounce back after losing the series opener 111-98 two nights ago. The Blazers, heavy underdogs in the first-round clash, look to pull off an upset after an encouraging show in Game 1.
Meanwhile, the home team will try for a more consistent showing in the rematch against the gritty Blazers. The Spurs nearly surrendered a double-digit first-half lead almost midway through the third quarter before composing themselves for a 32-13 finish. Victor Wembanyama, who had a historic playoff debut, will again lead the young but title-hungry hosts.
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Odds
Moneyline: Blazers (+475) vs. Spurs (-650)
Odds: Blazers (+11.5 -113) vs. Spurs (-11.5 -107)
Total (O/U): Blazers (o220.5 -110) vs. Spurs (u220.5 -110
Editor’s Note: The odds could change closer to the game.
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Injury Reports
Blazers injury report
Only Damian Lillard (injury recovery), who hasn’t played all season, is out.
Spurs injury report
Backup point guard Jordan McLaughlin is on the inactive list due to a left ankle sprain.
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Starting Lineups
Blazers
PG: Scoot Henderson | PG: Jrue Holiday | SF: Deni Avdija | PF: Toumani Camara | C: Donovan Clingan
Spurs
PG: Stephon Castle | PG: De’Aaron Fox | SG: Devin Vassell | SF: Julian Champagnie | C: Victor Wembanyama
Portland Trail Blazers vs San Antonio Spurs Prediction
Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter, coincidentally a former champion with the Spurs, rued about his team’s chances following his team’s Game 1 loss. The Brazilian said that the Blazers need to shoot 3s well for them to have a chance of getting away with a road win.
Portland shot 10-for-38 for a 26% clip against the Spurs’ 15-for-33 efficiency (45%). The Blazers moved the ball quite well, but San Antonio’s perimeter defense, which can be aggressive because Victor Wembanyama patrols the middle, was tough to beat.
San Antonio allowed just 35.4% efficiency from 3-point distance in the regular season, No. 8 in the NBA, making it likely the defense will remain stout. The Spurs could make the Blazers’ life miserable by funneling everything to the 7-foot-5 Wemby in the middle. Portland went 0-for-11 in Game 1 with Wembanyama as the nearest defender.
Expect the Spurs to grab a 2-0 series lead with a win that beats the -11.5 spread.
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