San Antonio Spurs vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game 3 Prediction, NBA Playoff Odds
The Western Conference first-round series between the San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers may have taken a momentous turn Tuesday night.
The Trail Blazers overcame a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to upset the Spurs on the road 106-103, evening the series at one game apiece. Game 3 takes place Friday night in Portland at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Defensive Player of the Year and all-around stud Victor Wembanyama left the game in the second quarter with a concussion. After scoring 35 points in the series opener, he left with five points and a gaping hole in the middle for San Antonio.
Scoot Henderson led all scorers with 31 points for Portland, who defeated the Spurs for the second time in San Antonio this season. Jrue Holiday had 16 points and nine assists, Donovan Clingan added nine points and 10 rebounds and Den Avdija scored 14 points.
Without Wembanyama, Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Devin Vassell had 16 points and 12 rebounds, De’Aaron Fox scored 17 points and Luke Kornet did his best to fill in for the French big man with 10 points and nine boards.
Wemby’s status hangs like an ominous cloud over San Antonio’s fortunes, both for Game 3 and the rest of this series.
Spurs vs. Trail Blazers NBA Betting Odds
Even with Wembanyama’s possible absence, San Antonio is a slight -1.5 favourite on the road. They are -130 on the moneyline, while Portland is +160. For what it’s worth, the Spurs beat the Trail Blazers in Portland earlier this season 115-102 without Wembanyama.
The over/under is set at 220.5 points. These teams played well below that in the first two games of the series, and have played to the under in all five meetings this season.
San Antonio Spurs
In addition to Wemby, valuable reserve forward Harrison Barnes also exited the Game 2 loss with an apparent left wrist injury.
Dylan Harper added 10 points, as the Spurs’ bench outscored Portland’s 37-26. Of course, that was also primarily the result of Wembanyama’s absence.
San Antonio was held without a field goal in the final 3:37, as the Spurs were outscored 11-2 to close the game.
Portland Trail Blazers
Portland has to feel ecstatic to come out of San Antonio with a split considering the Spurs had won eight of nine at home. Now, the Blazers need to make sure they don’t lose their mojo on their home court.
This team has won four straight and seven of eight at the Moda Center, but San Antonio was one of the league’s best this season on the road with a 29-12 record.
The Blazers are getting solid contributions from reserve Robert Williams III, who again came close to a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, as well as starter Toumani Camara – who had 10 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Holiday, who averaged 6.1 assists per game in the regular season, is averaging 10 dimes per contest this series.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Game 3?
The Spurs may have been able to defeat Portland on the road without Wembanyama during the regular season, but this is a different Blazers squad that seems to be brimming with confidence after Game 2.
It’s hard to see Wemby playing on Friday night, and it’s hard to see the Spurs winning without him. Take the Blazers to win 107-103.
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