Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs gets continues on Saturday night and we will see the San Antonio Spurs travel to Portland, Oregon to take on the Portland Trailblazers in game 3 of their best-of seven series. The game has a start time of 10:30 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ESPN. Vegas odds have the Spurs listed as 1 point favorites, while the total sits at 208.5.
Stat Packs: The San Antonio Spurs had the best record in all of the NBA this year and after a 7 game fight with Dallas in the opening round, they flexed their muscles in the first 2 games of this series, winning by 24 and 17 points. The Spurs have 31-13 SU on the road this year, but are just 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games played at Portland. The Spurs were a solid offensive team overall this year, as they ranked 6th in scoring (105.4 ppg), and so far in the playoffs they have averaged 105.8 ppg on 50.3% shooting. Leading the Spurs in scoring in the playoffs is Tony Parker, who is averaging 20.9 ppg so far. Tim Duncan (15.9 ppg), Manu Ginobili (15.8 ppg), Kawhi Leonard (13.2 ppg) and Tiago Splitter (10.0 ppg) have also averaged in double figures for the Spurs. Tiago Splitter leads them in rebounding (8.7). Defensively this was a solid team this year, ranking 6th in points allowed (97.6 ppg) and 8th in defensive FG% defense (44.4%), and in the playoffs they have allowed 99.7 ppg on 44.1% shooting.
The Portland Trailblazers shocked many with their 4-2 opening series win over the Houston Rockets. but they have not kept up the momentum vs the Spurs, getting blown out in both games thus far. Portland has gone 33-11 on their home floor this year and are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games vs the Spurs. Portland comes in as the 2nd highest remaining scoring team in the playoffs, averaging a solid 107.4 ppg so far. Lamarcus Aldrige has been the leader of this offense in the playoffs so far averaging 28.4 ppg ppg, while also leading them in rebounding at 11.4 rpg. Damian Lillard (23.6 ppg), Nicolas Batum (15.4 ppg) and, Wesley Mathews (14.3 ppg) round out the DD scorers for the team. During the regular season, the Blazers ranked 22nd in points allowed (102.8 ppg) and it has not been better for them in the playoffs, as they have allowed 112.8 ppg, which is the worst in the playoffs.
Pick: Just like the Miami game I will be going with the road team here. I said in the beginning of this series that the Blazers just don't have the defense to hang with the Spurs and so far in the playoffs they have shown just that by allowing the most points of any team in the post season. the Spurs are rolling right now and will not let up on the gas. The way Popovich has managed his team through the season will pay dividends through out the playoffs, as his team is very fresh will have the ability to wear down the Blazers in the 4th quarter and take a commanding 3 game lead. Defense is key though as they Blazers have allowed 112.8 ppg in the Post-season, while the Spurs have allowed just 99.7 ppg. Defense wins titles and it will surely win this game as well.
Get Stephen Nover's TRIPLE STAR NBA TOTAL OF WEEK For Free- No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
$10,000 Match Marco Baseball Challenge--- During the 2010 MLB season, Pregame Pro Marco D'Angelo won an unheard of 25 straight baseball games, never laying more than -$120! This contest replicates Marco's feat--- CLICK TO JOIN
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NBA Playoffs with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
MLB Free Picks: Washington Nationals vs Oakland As Betting
What pro baseball bettors need to know about Washington Nationals vs Oakland A's on Sunday (5/11/14) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Ken Thomson, with added insight from host Marco D'Angelo.