Tonight, the Portland Trailblazers will be fighting elimination in game four of the Western Conference Playoffs. Although the Warriors are seen as one of the best teams in the Western Conference, the Trailblazers have had plenty of opportunities to capture games throughout the series. On Saturday April 22nd, the Trailblazers only lost by six points. Portland has to play well tonight in order to keep playoff hopes alive. It will be hard, without question, especially if Kevin Durant is active in tonight's lineup.
Portland needs all hands on deck
In order to beat the Golden State Warriors tonight, the Trailblazers will need all hands on deck.
In their closest chance at beating the Warriors in Game 3, both Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum had 30 points. Evan Turner followed the two guards, bringing in 17 points in the forty minutes he played throughout the night. It is quite apparent that "Dame Dolla" and McCollum need help from their supporting cast. The two combined for 63 points while the rest of the team combined for 50. The Warriors, without Klay and Steph, combined for 61. Portland needs to start working the ball more between all of its players on the floor to enable scoring, especially with the return of Durant.
Defense
Everyone knows that defense wins championships, and that is needed tonight. Portland cannot let Golden State's offense get hot at all.
Throughout the season we have grown accustomed to the scoring abilities of Draymond, Klay, Kevin & Steph. Once they get on a run it is very hard to slow them down. In order to stop the four-headed monster, Portland must protect the three point line. If the majority of the Warriors' points are inside the arc, the Trailblazers have a better chance of winning the game.
With that being said, transition buckets and fast-break scoring must be limited if Portland plans to stay alive.
Big game for Aminu, Harkless and Turner
Usually, the game rests in the hands of Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum, but tonight is all about the supporting cast. It has been proven that the Trailblazers cannot win unless they play as a team.
Just like the Warriors, when Portland plays as a unit they reap the benefits. In order to stop the Warriors, the Trailblazers must attack on all cylinders. Tonight is simple, play defense and score collectively, or watch the playoffs from the couch.
