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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 keys to 2019 Western Conference Finals vs. Warriors

By Ty Delbridge

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 13: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 13, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 13: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on February 13, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Blazers bench outplaying Warriors bench

One of the biggest reasons the Blazers have advanced this far in the playoffs is because of the play of their bench. They are probably the deepest team left in the playoffs with players like Rodney Hood, Zach Collins, Seth Curry, Evan Turner and Meyers Leonard coming off the bench. All of them bring different traits to the table and will be asked to play a significant role when called upon again in this round.

Hood did suffer a bone bruise in his knee in Game 7 and is questionable to play right now. If he is not good to go, Portland will probably use Jake Layman a lot more than the first two rounds. Hood was called the “MVP of the series” by Denver coach Mike Malone, and Portland needs to hope it can count on him to play like that again if he’s healthy.

The Warriors don’t have the depth off their bench like in years past and are relying a lot on older guys Andre Iguodala (35) and Shaun Livingston (33). They are also hoping for decent contributions from unproven players like Alfonzo McKinnie and Kevon Looney.

The Warriors’ starters are all close to averaging 40 minutes a game in the playoffs. With Kevin Durant now out, their depth is even more limited and will have to play Iguodala more significant minutes and use Andrew Bogut (34) more with Cousins out.

The Blazers need their role players to win the minutes when Lillard or McCollum are off the floor and whenever Golden State sits Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Durant, once he’s back. If other guys are stepping up big for Portland, then the Blazers can look to keep their stars fresher than the Warriors this series and that could be a big difference.