4 things the Portland Trail Blazers need to do better to win the series
By Ty Delbridge
The Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets are tied 2-2 in the Western Conference Semifinals as the two teams head back to Denver for crucial game five.
The Portland Trail Blazers had momentum on their side heading into Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. They were up 2-1 in the series over the Denver Nuggets. Coming off a historic quadruple-overtime wing, Portland was hoping it could start hammering the nail in the coffin, gain a 3-1 lead and head back to Denver for a potential closeout game.
Unfortunately for the Blazers and their fans, they lost a tight one in Game 4, 116-112. Much like the entire series, it was back-and-forth all game, and the team that made a few more plays down the stretch won in the end. This game, it happened to be the Nuggets who made those plays to grabbed the victory and the momentum with home-court advantage back in their favor.
The Blazers are in for a battle now after they played so well to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games in the first round. The Nuggets are a much better offensive and defensive team and have more weapons to make the Blazers pay for their mistakes. Damian Lillard is having a harder time finding his shot and Portland as a team seems not as sharp as the last round. All that being said, every game has been basically a nail biter, and Portland had every chance to take Game 4.
This team has shown it can already win in Denver and regardless of what happens in Game 5, there will be a Game 6 in Rip City. Portland has the experience and the talent to win two of these next three potential games. Here are four things the Blazers need to do better if they want to win this second round series.