The Spurs are setting the Blazers up for the final word disappointment -

After a dominant Recreation One win over the Portland Path Blazers, the San Antonio Spurs regarded primed for a convincing first-round victory.

That every one got here to a screeching halt in Recreation Two, when Victor Wembanyama hit his face onto the hardwood and was identified with a concussion after the sport. San Antonio was not in a position to maintain on with out him, regardless of holding a nine-point lead within the fourth quarter.

The Spurs regarded like they might lose all of the momentum they constructed up this season, profitable 60 video games, and incomes the second seed within the West. Nonetheless, this workforce is deep with scoring and playmaking in Stephon Citadel, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper. Their backcourt trio is the rationale why San Antonio is probably not executed but.

The Spurs are near crushing the Blazers’ upset hopes

Recreation Three was a pivotal sport for San Antonio. This was the primary highway playoff sport for a lot of the roster and with out their MVP and Defensive Participant of the Yr in Wembanyama, the Spurs have been dealing with an uphill battle. Enter Citadel and Harper.

The younger guard duo was completely spectacular for San Antonio. They mixed for 60 factors, knocked down seven threes, and have been 19-of-30 from the sector. Portland had no reply for each of them once they obtained into the paint, the place they have been in a position to create, or end sturdy on the rim.

Citadel has proven that he’s able to performances like this, as he has arguably been the Spurs’ second greatest participant this season. He took on the first ball-handler function subsequent to Fox and was making the suitable resolution constantly. He confirmed good contact across the rim and his soar capturing, which had actually come on on the finish of the common season, continued to be a vivid spot for him.

Harper in the meantime had probably the greatest rookie playoff performances in current reminiscence. He was continually getting downhill and driving with such drive and pace that he had the Blazers on their heels all night time lengthy. He was going at it with Scoot Henderson as nicely, which has turn out to be an underrated enjoyable matchup throughout this playoffs.

Wembanyama’s absence doubtless received’t be long-term, however San Antonio needs to be relieved that their backcourt duo has proven that they’ll carry the baton so long as he’s absent. Portland nonetheless has an opportunity to make issues attention-grabbing, however not if Citadel and Harper have something to say about it.