Portland @ San Antonio: Western Conference Semis

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after hitting the game winning shot against the Houston Rockets during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers won their first playoff series in over a decade by defeating the Houston Rockets in the opening rounds of the playoffs. Second year head coach Terry Stotts has the leagues attention and has placed Rip City in a great opportunity. The only problem is, this is not the Spurs first go around in the playoffs. San Antonio the #1 seed in the West is coming off a tough seven game series with the Mavs. Both teams have intriguing matchups at point guard and power forward between some veteran warriors and young dream chasers.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - April 20, 2014 - Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) reacts after tipping a ball in late in regulation as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Houston Rockets in game 1 of the NBA playoffs at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Bruce Ely / The Oregonian

Portland out dueled Houston six games in their first round matchup. Led by LaMarcus Aldridge's opening two games of the series capping off 89 points total to set the tone early. Aldridge found ways to get the ball early and dominate the paint. His skill set also includes a nice mid-range game with excellent footwork; he may remind San Antonio of glances of a youthful Dirk. He leads the Blazers with a double-double a night posting (29.8) points and (11.8) boards. Aldridge has not been alone as second year star Damian Lillard compliments the abilities in the post with his play at point. Lillard has averaged (25.5) points, (6.3) rebounds, and (6.7) assist through these playoffs and his series clinching three in game seven was just the icing on his first NBA postseason. Wesley Matthews (15.3) points per night with Nicholas Batum (15.8) a game bring a balances attack for Portland. Together with the All-Stars in Aldridge and Lillard make a formable opponent versus the defending western conference champs.

Tony Parker gives teammate Danny Green a hug after a win in Game 5. Eric Gay/AP Tony Parker gives teammate Danny Green a hug after a win in Game 5.

San Antonio is through the first round once again after a seven game test with Dallas. Tony Parker has been balling with a purpose as he lived in the paint against Dallas. Parker has (19.9) points and (4.7) assist through these playoffs but is shooting a high 47% from the field. Once again due to his ability even at the age of 31 to slice and dice a defense once he is below the free throw line. This has also created easy buckets for forward Tim Duncan. Duncan is averaging around (17.8) points and (8.9) rebounds for San Antonio this postseason. He continues to be the silent leader on and off the court as he along with head coach Gregg Popovich look to covet a fifth NBA title. Manu Ginobli's play has risen with (17.4) per game and third year guy Kawhi Leonard's (11.7) per game have been valuable in the Spurs success. The play of Marco Belinelli has been a sore to many Spurs fans as he had just 22 points during the Dallas series as he normally shoots (43%) from three. Danny Green played horrific during the games (1-5) against the Mavs while he was lights out games 6 and 7 from the field and from three. So what Green and Belinelli will we get for game one is yet to be determined?

Portland is the number one rebounding team in the league thanks in part too their big men LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez anchoring the post. A tough task for Tiago Splitter and Tim Duncan who are no lightweights when it comes to the interior presence themselves. Aldridge was vulnerable when denial to the ball was denied and efficient coverage in pick and roll situations took him out of the game. In the losses versus the Rockets he only averaged 15.5 points a game. Tony Parker controlled the lane but the Trail Blazers will need to clog it up and force Parker to shoot and make decisions outside of 15 feet. Once he is in the paint it will be a long series or shall I say short for Portland. San Antonio is aiming for another title bid where they can hopefully amend the pain from seconds of glory to a first finals loss in franchise history. A pesky Trail Blazers team who won two out of their four meetings stands in their way. Both teams starting 5 is almost looking at a mirror, so which ever teams bench rises to the occasion can help their cause in moving forward. Experience will prevail and be another key component to a Spurs series victory and consecutive trips to the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio in 6 games