Trail Blazers interim coach\u00a0Tiago Splitter said.<\/a> \u201cHe brings something different that other teams don\u2019t have … he\u2019s a 7-foot-(4) guy that can handle, shoot, guard the rim (and) the perimeter. It\u2019s not a secret, he\u2019s a very good player.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"San](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kph2mfygydf6sccj9x.jpg\" "\\"San")
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Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Wembanyama’s 25 points per game this season paired with 3.1 blocks as the NBA’s two-time reigning blocks leader forces opposing offenses to adjust their strategy. Smaller, more physical attempts to stifle his production have worked best, as Phoenix showed early in the season, but placing focus on him opens the court elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s different things we can do, of course\u201d Splitter said. \u201cHe presents some difficulties for our defense and offense but \u2026 we have different cards to play with. We can go small, we can go double big, we can do different things on the court.\u201d<\/p>\n
If it were up to Avdija, he’d rely on the big men behind him on defense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it really helps,\u201d the All-Star forward said of having Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan in the frontcourt. \u201cBoth of them are really great defensive guys (who have) improved a lot … I think we\u2019re capable. We have the weapons, defensively, offensively.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Portland](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/01kph57vyzrv804wgkfv.jpg\" "\\"Portland")
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Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) celebrates against the Phoenix Suns in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Portland’s ability to play fast and speed up its opponents has played a large role in its success, especially down the stretch of the season. <\/p>\n
The Spurs, aware of such tendency, plan to match that with pace of their own; Mitch Johnson made clear pace doesn’t have to constitute sloppy basketball.<\/p>\n
“Playing fast doesn’t mean you need to shoot fast or terminate a possession quickly,” the Spurs’ coach said. “That just means you want to play with the tempo, rhythm, style of play that your brand of basketball is. I think we’re doing that.”<\/p>\n
San Antonio ranks 12th in the league in PACE, while boasting the league’s second-best net rating with top-five finishes on both sides of the ball. <\/p>\n
Beyond Wembanyama, it’s capable of multi-faceted scoring from De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Julian Champagnie and Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes. Still, the Spurs aren’t keen on taking their opponent lightly. <\/p>\n
“(They’re a) very active team,” Wembanyama said. “Very intense. Not an easy team to play.”<\/p>\n
At tipoff on Sunday night, the Trail Blazers will be ready to try their hand at the Spurs again. With Wembanyama in the mix, that matchup will look different than it has all season.<\/p>\n
If Portland wants a shot at advancing and making a championship push, it will have to get used to that concept sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s up there with (Nikola) Joki\u0107, (Joel) Embiid,\u201d Clingan said of Wembanyama. \u201cGuys who can really handle the ball, shoot … drive from 3-point line … he\u2019s definitely up there.\u201d<\/p>\n
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