Post by Miege22 on Mar 1, 2020 19:42:30 GMT -5
WEST: Portland vs. Seattle
How They Got Here
Portland is the #3 seed in the Western Conference, finishing 12-4. They were first in the Pacific Division. They come in having won 9 straight (including the postseason), and they defeated the 2nd-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the last round, 6-3.
Seattle comes in as the #4 seed in the Western Conference, finishing at 11-5. They were second in the Pacific Division. The Sonics upset the top-seeded Kansas City Kings in the conference semis.
Regular Season Meeting(s)
These two played in week 16 (Feb. 3-9). The Trailblazers won, 5-4.
KEY INJURIES
Portland - Kelly Oubre (knee - out); Draymond Green (knee - DTD); Derrick Rose (ankle - DTD)
Seattle - none
HOW DID THESE TWO GET HERE?
The Trailblazers were in a close match-up for about 4 days, then their massive talent and games advantage kicked in to gear. Hassan Whiteside (19) and John Collins (12) blocked just about everything in sight, Duncan Robinson poured in 33 three-pointers, and Chris Paul and Spencer Dinwiddie controlled things on the perimeter. Every single player that stepped on the floor for Portland contributed in a major way in multiple categories. The Trailblazers have been the best team in the league for almost three months now, and they showed why in the first round. However, it wasn't all good news for Portland. Late in the series, they lost Kelly Oubre to a torn meniscus, and he will almost certainly miss the rest of the postseason. With the Sonics looming, it's a huge blow.
The reason the loss is so big is that Seattle looks terrifying right now. The Sonics dispatched the Kings, if not easily, then comfortably. Bradley Beal had multiple 50-point games in the series, and he is THE reason the Sonics are in the conference finals. Had the Sonics not pulled off the deal for Beal with 1 minute to spare at the deadline, they definitely would have lost (not only would Isaac and Markkanen have provided nothing, but Lamb blew out his knee during this series). Of course, the move for Beal is what championship teams do, and Seattle might just be the favorite to win it all at this point.
WHAT DID THE X-FACTORS/PLAYERS TO WATCH DO?
Duncan Robinson was Portland's player to watch, and all he did was lead all players in the playoffs in three-pointers (pending Beal's final game of the series). We mentioned that Portland might be in a bit of trouble if he went cold from downtown. Well, that was dead wrong. Robinson could have sat the entire series, and Portland would have won threes going away. Still, shout out to Duncan Robinson. The X-Factor was a bit of a different story. Dennis Schroder was mostly fine. He averaged 15-3-4, shot it great from the line, not so great from the floor, and picked up a handful of steals and threes. He was just ok. He'll probably need to be better in the WCF.
For Seattle, we kept an eye on PJ Tucker given his newfound center-eligibility. Tucker didn't make it into the lineup every time he stepped on the floor, and he didn't look all that great until Saturday night. That the Sonics really didn't need him shows you how strong this team is after their trade. Dejounte Murray was the X-Factor, and he absolutely made a difference. He averaged 14-6-5, picked up 10 steals, made all 13 of his free throws and shot 49% from the floor. If he plays Schroder to a draw in the upcoming series, Seattle will have to feel really good about their chances.
IS THERE HISTORY HERE?
There really isn't. This will be the third straight year that the WCF produces a first time playoff match-up, which really isn't surprising since this is only the second time Seattle has made the playoffs. The only real history is the match-up in the regular season finale that Portland barely won to clinch the Pacific Division. One has to imagine that Portland will take no solace in that win and banner if Seattle gets the best of them here.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
It would be Seattle's first Finals appearance in franchise history in just the first year of new ownership. If Portland wins, they'll advance to their second Finals in three years in their last season in the West before moving to Miami. More importantly, with the ECF participants banged up and playing poorly, this feels like it could be the real Finals. Portland has been cruising since week 8. Seattle is definitely the most talented team left. Provided the winner of this one gets out of it unscathed, they figure to be the heavy favorite to bring the title back west, and, in this case, to the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever.
How They Got Here
Portland is the #3 seed in the Western Conference, finishing 12-4. They were first in the Pacific Division. They come in having won 9 straight (including the postseason), and they defeated the 2nd-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in the last round, 6-3.
Seattle comes in as the #4 seed in the Western Conference, finishing at 11-5. They were second in the Pacific Division. The Sonics upset the top-seeded Kansas City Kings in the conference semis.
Regular Season Meeting(s)
These two played in week 16 (Feb. 3-9). The Trailblazers won, 5-4.
KEY INJURIES
Portland - Kelly Oubre (knee - out); Draymond Green (knee - DTD); Derrick Rose (ankle - DTD)
Seattle - none
HOW DID THESE TWO GET HERE?
The Trailblazers were in a close match-up for about 4 days, then their massive talent and games advantage kicked in to gear. Hassan Whiteside (19) and John Collins (12) blocked just about everything in sight, Duncan Robinson poured in 33 three-pointers, and Chris Paul and Spencer Dinwiddie controlled things on the perimeter. Every single player that stepped on the floor for Portland contributed in a major way in multiple categories. The Trailblazers have been the best team in the league for almost three months now, and they showed why in the first round. However, it wasn't all good news for Portland. Late in the series, they lost Kelly Oubre to a torn meniscus, and he will almost certainly miss the rest of the postseason. With the Sonics looming, it's a huge blow.
The reason the loss is so big is that Seattle looks terrifying right now. The Sonics dispatched the Kings, if not easily, then comfortably. Bradley Beal had multiple 50-point games in the series, and he is THE reason the Sonics are in the conference finals. Had the Sonics not pulled off the deal for Beal with 1 minute to spare at the deadline, they definitely would have lost (not only would Isaac and Markkanen have provided nothing, but Lamb blew out his knee during this series). Of course, the move for Beal is what championship teams do, and Seattle might just be the favorite to win it all at this point.
WHAT DID THE X-FACTORS/PLAYERS TO WATCH DO?
Duncan Robinson was Portland's player to watch, and all he did was lead all players in the playoffs in three-pointers (pending Beal's final game of the series). We mentioned that Portland might be in a bit of trouble if he went cold from downtown. Well, that was dead wrong. Robinson could have sat the entire series, and Portland would have won threes going away. Still, shout out to Duncan Robinson. The X-Factor was a bit of a different story. Dennis Schroder was mostly fine. He averaged 15-3-4, shot it great from the line, not so great from the floor, and picked up a handful of steals and threes. He was just ok. He'll probably need to be better in the WCF.
For Seattle, we kept an eye on PJ Tucker given his newfound center-eligibility. Tucker didn't make it into the lineup every time he stepped on the floor, and he didn't look all that great until Saturday night. That the Sonics really didn't need him shows you how strong this team is after their trade. Dejounte Murray was the X-Factor, and he absolutely made a difference. He averaged 14-6-5, picked up 10 steals, made all 13 of his free throws and shot 49% from the floor. If he plays Schroder to a draw in the upcoming series, Seattle will have to feel really good about their chances.
IS THERE HISTORY HERE?
There really isn't. This will be the third straight year that the WCF produces a first time playoff match-up, which really isn't surprising since this is only the second time Seattle has made the playoffs. The only real history is the match-up in the regular season finale that Portland barely won to clinch the Pacific Division. One has to imagine that Portland will take no solace in that win and banner if Seattle gets the best of them here.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
It would be Seattle's first Finals appearance in franchise history in just the first year of new ownership. If Portland wins, they'll advance to their second Finals in three years in their last season in the West before moving to Miami. More importantly, with the ECF participants banged up and playing poorly, this feels like it could be the real Finals. Portland has been cruising since week 8. Seattle is definitely the most talented team left. Provided the winner of this one gets out of it unscathed, they figure to be the heavy favorite to bring the title back west, and, in this case, to the Pacific Northwest for the first time ever.