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Kevin Pelton
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Trail Blazers started Wednesday night’s competition at the Moda Center possessing an opportunity to secure Group C within the NBA Cup’s Western division with a triumph. That aspiration was thwarted, however, in a 115-102 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs, who departed holding their particular victory-assures-qualification position in Group C proceeding into Friday night’s concluding game in Denver.
For both squads, the NBA Cup signifies a chance to engage in significant contests following spending current periods outside of the playoff competition.
“We desired it,” stated Portland’s Deni Avdija, who attained a team-leading 37 points. “We desired that contest. It presented a favorable chance for us to advance within the Cup. We battled. We attempted to remain engaged in the contest. It proved a demanding competition; it remained a tight contest.
“I perceive it resembled a preliminary experience of a playoff-caliber match. I recognize I lack extensive experience, other individuals are still gaining familiarity, and it constituted a rigorous evaluation for us, yet I believe we can derive considerable knowledge from this contest.”
With seasoned guard Jrue Holiday excluded due to a calf ailment, accompanying Damian Lillard and Matisse Thybulle on the injury documentation, the Blazers utilized merely a pair of participants possessing playoff involvement Wednesday: forward Jerami Grant and center Robert Williams III.
In contrast, San Antonio’s arrangement exhibited marginally greater involvement with three experienced starters who’ve participated in the playoffs including Harrison Barnes, De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet, in addition to substitutes Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III. Nevertheless, the Spurs’ youthful foundation of recent opening-round choices Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama hasn’t yet encountered the postseason. Harper made a return from a calf ailment Wednesday, while Castle and Wembanyama remained sidelined due to injuries.
“The individuals get enthusiastic concerning it,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson stated regarding the squad’s contest Friday opposing the Nuggets, a confrontation that shall dispatch the victor to the NBA Cup quarterfinals and exclude the defeated. “I am not attempting to diminish its importance. Everything contributes to this collective. We exist at such an initial phase concerning the voyage and endeavoring to evolve collectively, attain wellness collectively, familiarize ourselves with one another.”
“Evidently, individuals aspire to reach Vegas, they aspire to partake in the championship contest,” Fox articulated. “I remain unaware of the circumstances within alternative locker areas, yet in the pair I’ve frequented, I’m uncertain if I would assert individuals are performing with greater intensity, although individuals comprehend the stakes involved and it is undoubtedly emphasized.”
Fox constituted a substantial determinant behind the Spurs’ continued involvement. He paralleled Avdija with 37 points Wednesday, marking his highest tally since being traded to San Antonio in February, with 23 of those amassed following halftime.
“I struggled to convert anything in the opening quarter,” Fox stated. “I couldn’t convert anything, yet the squad persists in anticipating my aggressiveness irrespective of my shot conversions. Just sustain the pressure and consequently, I believe I reached the free throw line 12 instances, correct?”
Indeed, Fox converted all 12 of his free throw attempts following achieving 14-of-16 Sunday in Phoenix.
“He’s functioned as an All-Star within this league,” Johnson stated. “He’s engaged in the playoffs. He’s witnessed considerable action. He’s encountered more defeats than desired, as well. Our individuals seek his guidance. … It’s gratifying to witness him donning a Spurs uniform and somewhat discovering his rhythm, despite his limited tenure here.”
As San Antonio aspires to progress within the NBA Cup, Portland shall anticipate conveying lessons from a November contest possessing greater significance than usual.
“I perceive it constituted a disheartening defeat, yet it functioned as a valuable defeat for our education due to the probability of future encounters in such positions,” Avdija stated. “Undoubtedly, we sought a triumph, although it undeniably served as a commendable assessment for us for the years ahead.”
