San Antonio @ Portland

This series was touted from the get-go, unless Giannis went all Giannis on the Spurs in the 1^st round. They didn’t though, so the 5^th seed got through to face the expected 1^st seeded Blazers, fresh off a 4-2 dual with the Mavs. Jmac Vs Nels, a real life rivalry battle of the new guy and the experienced winning pedigree. It was set to be a fun one for all, with the Blazers as heavy favourites, 84% of the pundit vote.

Game 1 and it really did go the way you would expect in Portland. They came out with a 3 point lead, which became 7 at the half, 9 at ¾ time and finally ran out 21 point victors to lead all the way. Beal top scored for the Spurs with 20 who had 4 guys in double figures, KAT with a 19/14/5 and 4 blocked shots stat line matched up with James Harden at PF who had 18/5/10 of his own. Rudy Gay paced the Balzers off the bench with 22 as they had 5 guys in double figures, two in the 20s, won the rebounds, assists, steals and blocks and protected the ball more. It was a consummate performance by a title favourite. 1-0 Blazers.

Game 2 and if the Spurs made adjustments here, it didn’t show. They again lost every wuarter going down 9, 17, 26 and finally 33 points at each break and despite Towns again hitting 20/11/4 and 3 steals, and 3 teammates also hitting double figures, the Blazers won the rebounds by 19, had double the assists, won steals and blocks and just did as they pleased. Kawhi had 30, harden 22 and Gay 21, and that was all she really wrote. 2-0 Blazers.

Game 3 in San Antonio, make or break. Small line up changes to combat Kawhi, Crowder to SG, but away from home the Blazers again got the job done. Down 3 after 1, they went up by 9 at the half, it was back to a manageable 6 at ¾ time but they held tight to win by 8. Harden, Murray and Gay all had mid 20s points while Leonard and WCS both topped double figures too. The Spurs got a great game from the whole team, 6 guys in double figures, Brogdon pacing them with 26, but they again lost the rebounds and 27% from deep hurt. 3-0 Blazers.

Game 4, all important. Win or go home. The Spurs were fired up with TJ Warren now starting and came out hard. They took ma 5 point lead into the 1^st break. The 2^nd quarter though closed the door on the season. The Blazers went 38-12, to lead by 21 at the half and then extended that to 29 by ¾ time which was the finishing margin. No one played more than Harden’s 27 minutes, in which he scored 25/11/8 and 3 steals while KAT was the best of the Spurs with 21/18/2. The season was over. 4-0 Blazers.

Congratulations to the Blazers for smashing through Round 2 which didn’t really surprise anyone. The margin and the sweep were probably less expected, but they were well accomplished and got the job done. Well done to the Spurs and GM Nels for his 1^st season in this format of fantasy sports. He’s shown himself to be a very accomplished GM in his short time and there’s no doubt the Spurs are in good hands.

Good luck for the Conference Finals Portland! (Disclaimer: They have already won them…)

- NSL Insider News.