The San Antonio Spurs are on the brink of advancing in the NBA playoffs, leading the first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers 3-1. Game 5 is set for Tuesday, April 28, at 9:30 p.m. ET at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Why it matters: The Spurs are heavily favored to win Game 5 and eliminate the Trail Blazers, who need a victory to keep their season alive.
San Antonio has a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, needing just one more win to advance.
Victor Wembanyama returned from concussion protocol to play a key role in the Spurs' Game 4 victory, scoring 27 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking 7 shots.
The Spurs finished the regular season with a stellar 62-20 record, earning the second seed in the Western Conference.
Driving the news: In Game 4, the Spurs rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to secure a 114-93 win, demonstrating their resilience.
After trailing 58-41 at halftime, San Antonio outscored Portland 73-35 in the second half.
De'Aaron Fox added 28 points to support Wembanyama's standout performance.
The Spurs' comeback showcased their ability to perform under pressure, a key theme in their playoff run.
State of play: Both teams will enter Game 5 with full rosters available, but the Spurs have the momentum.
Portland's season hangs in the balance; they must win to force a Game 6 back in Portland.
The Blazers previously won Game 2 in San Antonio, indicating they can compete in the Alamo City.
Injury concerns are minimal; the Spurs are healthy, whereas the Blazers will be without Damian Lillard, who is out for the season due to an Achilles injury.
The big picture: A win for the Spurs would send them to the next round, where they will face the winner of the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets series.
San Antonio has been dominant throughout the playoffs, holding an 82.2% chance of winning Game 5 according to ESPN.
With a strong offensive output averaging 119.8 points per game, the Spurs are positioned well against the Blazers, who allow 115.8 points per game.
Historically, the Spurs have a strong playoff record when favored, winning 77.8% of games as moneyline favorites this season.
What they're saying: Wembanyama expressed mixed feelings about his return from concussion protocol, highlighting the importance of teamwork.
“We need to find the answers before having our back against the wall, but that also shows the strength of our team in adversity,” Wembanyama said.
He praised the Spurs' medical staff but noted disappointment with how his return was handled.
“There’s no jealousy. There’s nobody who cares about their stat line. So it’s our greatest strength,” he added, emphasizing team unity.
By the numbers: The betting odds favor the Spurs significantly as they look to close out the series.
San Antonio is listed as 11.5-point favorites, with a moneyline of -700, giving them an 84% implied probability of winning.
The over/under for the game is set at 214.5 points, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair.
Portland's chances are slim, with a moneyline of +500, translating to a 16% chance of victory.
What's next: If the Spurs win Game 5, they will advance to face the winner of the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets series.
Should the Blazers win, Game 6 will be held in Portland on Thursday, April 30, with a time to be determined.
The stakes are high for both teams, as the Blazers aim to extend their season and the Spurs look to solidify their playoff success.
Fans can watch the game live on ESPN or stream it through platforms like fuboTV and DIRECTV, which offer free trials.