Spurs bring Trail Blazers' season to an end with Game 5 win, advance to West finals
No Tony Parker? No problem.
After losing Parker midway through the second quarter due to hamstring tightness, the San Antonio Spurs exploded in the final two frames for a 104-82 win in Wednesday night's Game 5, bringing an anticlimactic end to the Portland Trail Blazers' postseason run.
The win, which was fueled by a 22-point performance from Kawhi Leonard, means the Spurs will be in the Western Conference finals for a third successive year. They'll await the winner of the West's other second-round series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers.
Spurs will make their 9th conference finals appearance since Tim Duncan joined the team (1997-98), most of any team in that span
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 15, 2014
Also, a shout out to the Trail Blazers for punching above their weight and providing some of the most entertaining basketball of the 2013-14 season.
These guys provided a lot of great memories this season. Just ran into a great Spurs team. pic.twitter.com/1gTA5mIkdz
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) May 15, 2014
Star Performer
In yet another display of his versatility at both ends of the floor, Leonard finished the contest with 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting to go with seven rebounds, five steals, and two assists. He also posted a team-high plus-23 through his 35 minutes on the floor.
As you can see, the San Diego State product was nearly unstoppable in the paint.
[Courtesy ESPN]
Turning Point
Any hopes that Parker's injury would allow the Trail Blazers to leave the AT&T Center with a win were quickly put to rest early in the third quarter.
San Antonio opened up the frame with a 8-0 run that extended their lead to 15 and abruptly ended Portland's chances of extending the series.
Highlight Reel
Leonard's four points in the third quarter came off two plays that were nearly identical.
On the first occasion, he intercepted a pass from Nicolas Batum and proceeded to go coast-to-coast before throwing down a one-handed slam.
Less than three minutes later, Leonard did this. And no, it's not a replay of the first dunk.
Quote of the Game
Everyone in Portland knows the Trail Blazers accomplished something special this season.
From 33 wins in 2013 to a Conference Semifinal berth in 2014 … Thank you for enjoying the ride with us, #RipCity pic.twitter.com/cNM5Iy172Q
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) May 15, 2014
Blazers have NOTHING to be ashamed of. No one expected them to do this well going into the season.
— Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) May 15, 2014
54 wins. 2 All-Stars. First playoff series win in 14 years. Things to address in the offseason but what a year for the Blazers.
— Erik Gundersen (@blazerbanter) May 15, 2014
That was fun, Rip City. Do it again, please.
— Kelly Dwyer (@KDonhoops) May 15, 2014
Keep things in perspective: #Blazers had phenomenal, excitement-filled season. Overcame the odds. Got people to believe. It was a succes.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 15, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: SAS 116, POR 92 (Spurs lead 1-0)
Game 2: SAS 114, POR 97 (Spurs lead 2-0)
Game 3: SAS 118, POR 103 (Spurs lead 3-0)
Game 4: POR 103, SAS 92 (Spurs lead 3-1)
Game 5: SAS 104, POR 82 (Spurs win series 4-1)