Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from discouraging Game 5 loss vs. Nuggets

1. Too many defensive lapses

Portland’s offense was brutal in Game 5, but the defensive lapses hurt worse than a cold night on offense ever could. The 124 points they gave up were the most they’ve conceded in regulation these entire playoffs. That edged out the 121 points they already gave up in Game 1 of this series, also a loss.

Despite finishing the season sixth in transition defense and currently leading the playoffs, the Blazers weren’t clicking on the break in Game 5, giving up 12 fast break points to two of their own. There were multiple instances where the team was slow to get back off misses, and other times where they cross-matched their assignments as the Nuggets’ offense was barreling down the floor.

Things weren’t much better at times in the half-court. The team didn’t enter this game sharp, mixing themselves up on certain switches, leaving offensively potent players open. Despite the lapses, Portland would eventually recover and have several solid defensive possessions. Unfortunately, things would eventually unravel again, and a home team looking to retake control of the series was able to pounce on those mistakes.

Was it the altitude? Is the team finally feeling the effects of that quadruple-overtime game? Did the team simply fold under pressure, considering two wins in the semifinals is the furthest this era of Blazers has ever gone? Whatever the reason, the Portland Trail Blazers were not at 100 percent on either end of the floor in Game 5, and they paid dearly. Another night like this will send them home for the summer.