SAN ANTONIO — Deni Avdija had about 10 minutes to take it in.
After leading the charge of the Portland Trail Blazers’ come-from-behind victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament, his squad’s next opponent was already waiting. Avdija called out the common denominator between the two.
“The (San Antonio Spurs) are a great team,” Avdija said. “Very talented. They’re young, too … it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a fight. We’re going to bring everything we’ve got.”
Behind Victor Wembanyama — San Antonio’s not-so-secret weapon who has yet to face Portland this season — the Spurs managed a 62-20 record, good for the West’s No. 2 seed.
Their historic turnaround hasn’t been glanced over by any team in the league. But despite similar experience levels, the Trail Blazers know what they’re in for.
And more specifically, who they’re in for.
“Wembanyama is a big emphasis for us,” Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said. “He brings something different that other teams don’t have … he’s a 7-foot-(4) guy that can handle, shoot, guard the rim (and) the perimeter. It’s not a secret, he’s a very good player.”