Landon Buford
TNT analyst Kenny Smith was recently interviewed by Heavy’s Brandon Robinson. During the interview, Smith stated that the Portland Trailblazers have a good shot at facing the Golden State in the Western Conference Finals this season.
“I think that at times, what I’ve watched is a Portland te犀利士
am who was really close with Damian Lillard and [C.J.] McCollum and that they were too small to continue that,” Smith told Robinson.
“So everything had to be perimeter. But when you throw Kanter in, you throw Rodney Hood; those two guys can throw 60% from two-point range. So, I don’t think Portland ever had anybody who could consistently do that.”
Since the All-Star break, the Golden State Warriors have won 64 percent of their games with a 16-9 record. While averaging 115.1 points per game and 49% from the field. The Warriors first round opponents are the Los Angeles Clippers.
As for the Blazers, they will be opening the postseason at home against the Thunder on Sunday, April 14th. During the regular season, the Thunder took all four meets against the Blazers. That doesn’t necessarily mean that will hold over into the playoffs, but it is something that both sides are aware of heading into the matchup.
The Thunder went 11-10 over the last 21 games to close out the 2018-2019 regular season and are looking to bounce the Blazers out of the first round for the second straight season.
Smiths’ TNT colleague Charles Barkley back in March said he also believes the Blazers would have a long playoff run.
“Put it on the board, the 威而鋼
rs?src=hash” rel=”tag” data-query-source=”hashtag_click” data-scribe=”element:hashtag”>#Blazers are going to the NBA Finals!” — Charles Barkley
“Put it on the board, the #Blazers are going to the NBA Finals!” — Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/Y10jr8M8SV
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) March 8, 2019
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