WEST SECOND ROUND: GSW v PORTLAND

(1) GOLDEN STATE
(5) PORTLAND

SEASON SERIES: GSW 3-1

After watching Steph Curry's lower body move as awkwardly as it did almost halfway through game 4 versus Houston, we did not know what to make of it off initial looks. Curry suffered a grade 1 MCL sprain. All you doctors out there can handle the rest. His timetable was two weeks. As rest is exactly what Curry needs. In the wake of this, the NBA's head coach of the year Steve Kerr says Curry has not even been on a court since. However the Warriors played pretty convincingly that they can hold down fort until around May 9th which is an unofficial timeline on a possible return. Klay Thompson serving up back to back games with 7- 3PT shots made, the passion behind Draymond Green, veterans off the bench stepping up and of course coaching. Shaun Livingston's story just keeps getting better. Livingston has stepped in for Curry and will need to continue his good play. Livingston has averaged (13.2ppg/ 4.8apg) while shooting 58% from the field. Their depth has been seen over the season due in part to many blowouts which has led them to have many bench players receive significant playing time during the regular season. That play has led them to the spectacular regular season they have had that has continued to pan out this playoffs. Leading the league in assist which has pushed them to (114.9ppg) also tops in the association.

Don't get me wrong, Portland isn't shy about scoring too. The Trail Blazers average (105.1ppg) which is 6th in the league. Portland was not even thought of being mentioned in the second round by myself nor different mainstream journalists and broadcast members alike. Portland found a way to out duel the Clippers in a 4-2 series that wrapped up Friday night. After CP3 going down, Blake Griffin went down "again" it was apparent that LAC almost gave up after a (2-2) tied series and all momentum favoring the Blazers. Damian Lillard once again leading the charge for Portland. Dame has averaged (22.0ppg/ 5.2apg/ 4.8rpg) thus far. However it has been an up and down start for Lillard. Being guarded and having to defend Chris Paul will do that. Once CP3 injury occured, Lillard found his groove back. Alongside fellow back-court mate and 2016 Most Improved Player CJ McCollum (19.7ppg / 43% FG); they have made a formidable tandem. However other than the duo, unlike their counterpart GSW depth is not much on Portland's side. Granite Al-Farouq Aminu 30 points and 10 boards game 3 was a significant step with Gerald Henderson and Maurice Harkless have provided extra bodies, the Blazers will still need more. One bright spot has to be the play of Mason Plumlee. Plumlee now in his second year out of Duke held his own againsts DeAndre Jordan for the most part. His (14.8rpg) was key in their series win and as a team Portland averages (45.5rpg).

That stat alone is vital for Portland trying to have any success versus the Warriors. Plumlee can set the tone early crashing the boards. Which is one of not many of the Warriors weakness. Offensive boards will be more offensive possessions which you cannot get enough of versus a team who likes to score in runs like GSW. While limiting their second chance points will limit second chance 3's. Another is defending in the paint. Between Green, Bogut, and Ezeli they are not the best rim protectors. Yes Draymond defends well but he does not stay in the painted area like traditional power forwards. The Trail Blazers also shoot the 3PT shot as good as any team including GSW. Both teams rely on the 3 ball tremendously and is what makes the bulk of their teams scoring. During the regular season in their four match-ups, both teams shot almost 50% from 3PT land while scoring over 100 points in each contest. All were blowouts including Portland giving GSW 1 of their only 9 regular season losses in Portland. Individual match-ups is what's interesting. Curry is the Warriors focal point and he has averaged about (4.5ppg) higher against Portland; however Klay Thompson play is the one to watch. For starters most Portland wing players are not as athletic and a bit smaller than Thompson. Look for a flourish of different defenders including Aminu to help McCollum take on this task. Thompson who is averaging (22ppg) was scoring around (30) a night while shooting I mean lights out, (50% from 3PT). Shaun Livingston is around 6'7 and plays point guard. Damian Lillard is 6'3. Watch for whether Livingston's length really bothers Lillard in the first two games. Also Livingston can also play some post game on the smaller Lillard. This could definitely cause matchup problems for Portland. If Dame cannot get his shot going it reflects for his whole team. The Clippers CP3 had him in check through 2 games (+/- [-15]) and after (+/- [+18]). Draymond Green needs to keep his intensity at a high level as the Warriors team and crowd will feed off. While Igoudala is only averaging (11ppg) his versatility on both sides of the ball and continues to shoot a high percentage will be key for the Warriors until that man named Curry steps back on the hardwoods. If Portland can steal a game in Oakland and if Curry does not come back until game 4 and Portland is up (2-1) in the series, interesting. If not, then once again GSW will be back in the WCF. Besides that, experience and depth is not on the Blazers side as well. Food for thought, after Curry went down the Warriors outscored Houston 179-119. Just remember that.

GSW in 6