{"id":712473,"date":"2026-04-17T13:54:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712473\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T13:54:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T13:54:49","slug":"blazers-defending-victor-wembanyama-will-define-the-series-vs-spurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/712473\/","title":{"rendered":"Blazers Defending Victor Wembanyama Will Define the Series vs. Spurs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJaime Valdez-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

The Blazers’ primary defensive adjustment hinges on the tandem of second-year pro Donovan Clingan<\/a> and defensive specialist Toumani Camara. Down the stretch, Clingan and Camara proved they could anchor the paint. <\/p>\n

Donovan Clingan averaged 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in the regular season. Clingan provides the sheer mass needed to keep Wembanyama away from easy put-backs.
\n Toumani Camara<\/a>‘s versatility allows him to shadow Wembanyama on the perimeter, theoretically preventing him from getting comfortable beyond the arc. <\/p>\n

Camara stays in front of drivers to allow Clingan to meet them in the paint. That will be important for the Blazers if they want to compete in the series.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

In the regular season, the Blazers exploited a Wemby-less frontcourt by letting Deni Avdija attack downhill. Avdija is coming off a monster 41-point performance against the Suns to clinch the No. 7 seed and averaged 32 points against the Spurs this year.<\/p>\n

The rotation adjustment here involves Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe<\/a>. To prevent the Spurs’ elite rim protection from stunting Avdija’s drives, Splitter may need to cycle through more perimeter-heavy lineups to pull Wembanyama away from the basket, creating the opportunity where Scoot Henderson and the Blazers’ bench excels. <\/p>\n

Key Series Matchups & Rotations<\/p>\n

Player
\nStats
\nRole<\/p>\n

Deni Avdija
\n24.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.7 APG
\nPrimary shot creator<\/p>\n

Shaedon Sharpe
\n20.8 PPG
\nSecondary scorer, floor spacer<\/p>\n

Jrue Holiday<\/a>
\n16.3 PPG
\nVeteran defensive anchor<\/p>\n

Donovan Clingan
\n11.6 RPG
\nWembanyama’s matchup<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

In their lone win against San Antonio on Jan. 3, the Blazers relied on 19 made 3-pointers to overcome the Spurs’ size. Expect a rotation that prioritizes Jerami Grant (shooting 44% on corner threes) to stretch the floor. If Portland can force Wembanyama to defend the corner, it opens the lane for Avdija and Sharpe to keep the Blazers in the series.<\/p>\n

While the Spurs are massive favorites, the Blazers’ defensive grit and the mystery of how they match up with a healthy Wembanyama makes this an intriguing first-round series.<\/a><\/p>\n

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