Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
NBA Power Rankings
Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /

1. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum continue to lead the charge

Just like the entire playoffs and season for the Blazers, it does not matter if they do all the things above if Lillard and McCollum do not have a good series. The role players are essential to win games, but it all comes down to the Blazers’ two star guards. For the role players to succeed and make an impact, they need the stars to achieve first.

Damian Lillard took over the first series and dominated OKC. Against the Nuggets, he seemed to struggle with his shot all series and nobody could really figure out why as he ended up taking the backseat to McCollum. Still, he made big plays and stepped up when he needed to. So far for the playoffs, Lillard is averaging 28.4 points, 6.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 40.6 minutes per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point line.

McCollum had a good first round, but against the Nuggets, he showed the NBA world why he is one of the elite scoring guards in the league. Without his play, the Blazers would have been sent home packing. McCollum took over time and time again with Lillard being off and was the MVP in the Game 7 win.

He had 37 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block, one steal and zero turnovers in 45 minutes while shooting 58.6 percent from the field on 29 attempts. For the entire playoffs so far, he is averaging 25.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from the 3-point line.

Lillard and McCollum have played great in these playoffs, and they have to continue to do so in this matchup. Portland needs them to both have it going at the same time. One of them can’t disappear for a game and let the other handle all the scoring and playmaking; it won’t work against the Warriors like it did in the previous two rounds. It is doubtful that Stotts will ever have both guys off the court at the same time.

Golden State is going to look to trap and take the ball out of Lillard and McCollum’s hands when that happens, so the one playing off the ball has to make them pay. If both guys are scoring the ball, then it will start to open up things for the guys around them, and that makes the game easier for everyone.

Next. 30 greatest NBA Draft picks in league history. dark

Lillard and McCollum have both exploded against the Warriors before, like when they combined for 75 points in Game 1 of the 2017 conference semifinals. They don’t need to go for 75 every game, but they need to get somewhat close to it. If Lillard and McCollum are both hot, anything could happen in this Western Conference Finals matchup.