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Total game impression:
Key contributions from Clingan, Murray, Rupert, and McGowen closed a 20 point gap to 4 points and made the Spurs sweat at the end.
Clingan was forcing shots that lead bricks. But his defensive contribution was able to show why he was a lottery pick. The 5 blocks and 13 rebounds showed gives me hope that his skills will translate at the NBA level. His conditioning is not at an NBA level yet, But he shouldn’t be playing much as a back up.
3rd Quarter impressions:
Murray was more visible this quarter.
It was nice to see Clingan dive for the ball, and able to disturb shots at the beginning of the quarter. He phoned it in on defense at around the 5 minute mark,
They pulled all the Blazers big names around the 3 minute mark, and let the bench play.
1st Quarter impressions:
Clingan was disturbing all the shots near the rim. Early turnover with passing to a ghost. Cant finish very well on the rim. Offensively, he has been forcing his shots.
Murray was able to show some flashes of why he belongs in the NBA, He just needs to be more aggressive.
Ryan Rupert was able to show off some ball handling. He has a promising start so far.
Minaya was forcing shots.
Other Blazers were non descript. The whole team can’t set a proper screen, allowing the Spurs to blow by easily. Turnovers for the Blazers were plentiful, allowing the Spurs to keep pulling ahead.
2nd Quarter impressions:
The Blazers are able to pass the ball and create shots, Unfortunately they haven’t been able to capitalize.
Blazers didn’t score until the 6:07 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.
Clingan is not in NBA shape, he is visibly winded . He will need to work on his conditioning.
McGowens limited his mistakes in the 2nd quarter and was able to contribute better in this quarter.
4th Quarter impression:
McGowens kept the grove he found in the 3rd quarter and into the 4th.
Rupert and Murrary has been aggressive. Rupert on the catch and shoot was almost automatic.
Blazers was able to close the gap with 11 points in the 4:30 mark, which was surprising. Portland closed the gap to 8 points around the 1:30 minute mark by launching threes.
Clingan was able to collect fouls by attacking the rim, crucial free throws from Clingan closed the gap to 6.