The Trail Blazers have been an inspiring story this season, proof that adversity can sometimes bring the best out of teams. Entering Game 5 of their NBA playoff series Tuesday, that adversity will be at peak levels.
The Blazers have a chance to prove to be more than just a fun story, but they’ll need to do it on the road against a Spurs team that is rolling over its past two games.
The Spurs are heavy favorites to win Game 5 in San Antonio with the spread as high as 12.5 points and the Over/Under sitting at 215.5 total points.
The Spurs-Trail Blazers series showcases the league’s up-and-coming talent.
Blazers guard Scoot Henderson and Spurs guard Dylan Harper have set playoff career highs.
Deni Avdija is proving to be a gamer in his first taste of the NBA postseason.
But this series is all about Victor Wembanyama.
In Game 1, his playoff debut, he scored 35 points to lead all scorers.
In Sunday’s Game 4, he scored 18 points in the second half to lead the Spurs to a win and a 3-1 series lead.
On defense is where Wembanyama has shone most in this series, which was apparent during the time he missed after suffering a concussion.
The Spurs defense is spectacular, but with the alien Wembanyama manning the paint, it becomes otherworldly.
He is holding opponents to 35.1 percent shooting in the series, which is among the best marks for all players so far in the postseason.
The Blazers score 9.3 fewer points per 100 possessions with Wembanyama on the floor compared to when he’s off.
Each of the three games Wembanyama has started in the series — including the one he exited with a concussion — have gone Under the total.
I’m expecting the Spurs defense to remain elite in a closeout Game 5 at home and stifle the Blazers offense once again.
The Play: Under 215.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Malik Smith has been immersed in the sports betting industry since 2017. He’s a data nerd with a particular focus on the NBA and combat sports. He spends his weeknights in the winter looking for edges on plus-money NBA player props.
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