It鈥檚 all over but the shouting. The Blazers tried as well as they could to protect home court and, in the process, bring down their deficit in the Western Conference Finals to a single game, but their effort at the Moda Center yesterday ultimately left much to be desired. As in Game Two, they greeted the opening tip with purpose and kept the pedal to the metal in the first half. And, as in Game Two, they then saw fit to coast on a seemingly comfortable lead — a no-no given the relentless nature of the Warriors. They played not to lose when they should have kept playing to win, a recipe for disaster against the defending champions.
True, the Blazers are known for not quitting. In fact, their never-say-die disposition is precisely why they鈥檝e managed to exceed themselves in the 2019 Playoffs. It鈥檚 certainly how they ran roughshod over the dangerous Thunder starring Paul George and Russell Westbrook and thereafter prevailed over the superior Nuggets featuring do-it-all Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately, the Warriors are notches above their previous opponents, leading scorer Kevin Durant鈥檚 absence notwithstanding; they鈥檙e heavy underdogs against the holders of three titles in four years on the strength of historically dominant numbers from end to end.
Granted, all the Blazers have always asked for is a chance. They鈥檙e so used to being written off and second-guessed that they鈥檒l no doubt brandish the prevailing view of their current situation as added motivation. Considering their relish in showing up naysayers, they鈥檒l be leaving nothing in the tank tomorrow. Well, it鈥檚 about time. And it鈥檚 not a question of whether they can compete in spurts, but of whether they can keep plugging on until the final buzzer. Relatively short on talent, they鈥檒l have to go long on resolve. And, with the Warriors loading up on their usual workhorses, they鈥檒l need to mix their campaign with a healthy dose of trust in others on the bench.
The Blazers do have cause to continue riding on the shoulders of leading scorers Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. After all, their one-two punch has driven them to where they are. On the flipside, they鈥檙e compelled to rely elsewhere for points in the face of the Warriors鈥 constant trapping of their principal playmakers. And if there鈥檚 anything the first two quarters of both Games Two and Three showed, it鈥檚 that they do have safety valves to lean on. Tomorrow, consistency of ball movement will be key. Under pressure, they鈥檝e so far shown an alarming tendency to resort to isolation sets.
Again, it鈥檚 all over but the shouting. There鈥檚 no way the Blazers will win four straight matches versus supremely confident competition. Nonetheless, their response to the challenge before them figures to shape their future. They鈥檝e overachieved, but naturally want to forge ahead. And, as with all the others in the league, the blueprint for continual improvement lies in their processing of experiences, the losses included.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
