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3 Blazers most to blame for 19 point Game 5 loss to Spurs
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- 3 Blazers most to blame for 19 point Game 5 loss to Spurs
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The Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, and it ended with a 114-95 loss in Game 5. It was obvious that the Blazers were overmatched in this series, and the past two games showed that. In a win-or-go-home situation, the Blazers were not able to rise to the moment, and though they tried to make a last comeback in the fourth, it still wasn't enough.
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Here are a few reasons why the Blazers couldn't get the job done in Game 5.
Defense wasn't good enough
The good thing that the Blazers did was hold Victor Wembanyama to under 20 points , but everyone else around him had a solid game. Six players finished in double-digit scoring for the Spurs, with De'Aaron Fox leading the way with 21 points and nine assists. The Blazers have the defenders to at least contain some of the Spurs' key players, but they weren't able to do much to them in this game.
The Spurs shot 55% from the field and 40% from the 3-point line in this one.
Not much production from the starters
Deni Avdija was the only starter who seemed to come to play on offense, as he finished with 22 points. Everybody else had a hard time finding a rhythm on that side of the ball, and three double-digit scorers came from the second unit. Jrue Holiday shot 3-for-14 from the field, Toumani Camara shot 2-for-10, and Donovan Clingan shot 4-for-11.
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In a game where they're trying to keep their season alive, the shooting was going to have to be better.
The Blazers were just outmatched
The Spurs have championship aspirations, and they have the team from top to bottom to do so. As for the Blazers, they're not quite there yet, but they are a scrappy team, and they showed that in Game 2. Unfortunately, they didn't have enough to take down the Spurs. It will be a big offseason for them as they try to improve their roster, and they'll also be getting Damian Lillard back.
Related: Why Blazers' Deni Avdija needed humbling experience of a Spurs playoff beatdown
Related: De'Aaron Fox hard foul on Deni Avdija draws boos in Spurs-Blazers Game 5
