NBA playoffs on May 12: Trail Blazers, Raptors make Conference Finals

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The remaining two participants of this season's Conference Finals were confirmed on Sunday. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 100-96 at the Pepsi Center to win the series and will be matched against the Golden State Warriors on May 14. The Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 92-90 at the Scotiabank Arena thanks to a buzzer beater by Kawhi Leonard, so they will meet up with the Milwaukee Bucks on May 15.

Nuggets vs. Trail Blazers, Portland deserves more respect

Players of the Portland Trail Blazers in the game they win against the Denver Nuggets 100-96 at the Pepsi Center, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

Having played six games against each other already, neither Denver nor Portland could know the other side's game better. Though Nikola Jokic dropped 29 points, 13 rebounds and buried two three-pointers, he only delivered two assists in the game. As Denver's only orchestrator, Jokic's connection with his teammates was cut down. By the way, the rest of Denver missed all of their 12 attempts from the 3-pt line.

The Trail Blazers were not getting everything they wanted either. Damian Lillard, the team's best player, only made three of his 17 shots under the defense of Torrey Craig, but he managed to help his team in other ways. For example, Lillard grabbed 10 rebounds and had 8 assists. He also sank two three-pointers, both in the last quarter of the game when the Trail Blazers were desperate for points.

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Nuggets and Damian Lillard #0 of the Trail Blazers in the game, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

Since the ace players of both teams were neutralized, it fell to their second-in-command to carry the team. Unfortunately for Denver, they did not have this option: Jamal Murray was not ready to be a leader; Paul Milsap was too old for the job; the rest of the team were good role players but not built up to lead the team. Such a difficult situation also revealed a major problem within Denver: they relied on Jokic for everything.

By contrast, Portland have C.J. McCollum, who stood out to put down the court's highest 37 points, including making the two valuable perimeter shots in the last 90 seconds. Unlike Lillard, McCollum's focused more of his firepower on the middle-range. Therefore, his scoring was rarely as intimidating as those super long-distance 3-pts or rim rattlers of Lillard, but McCollum had the least requirement of space with his offense.

C.J. McCollum #3 of the Trail Blazers shoots in the game against the Nuggets, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

From the moment Jusuf Nurkic said goodbye to the season, the Trail Blazers became the push-over in many people's eyes. Even after Lillard and McCollum led the team to knock out the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1 in the first round, not many expected them to defeat the Nuggets.

However, here they are, in the Western Conference Finals again after 19 years. Their victory not only came from Lillard and McCollum, but from Enes Kanter who kept chasing for offensive rebounds, and from Zach Collins who kept blocking shots in the limited time he had on the court. This team is never to be underestimated again.

Raptors vs. 76ers, Leonard is the difference

Kawhi Lepnard (C) of the Toronto Raptors roars to celebrate after he hits a buzzer beater to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers 92-90 at the Scotiabank Arena, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

The two teams played a typical Game 7 of the NBA playoffs with low scoring (18-13 in Q1 and neither side reached 30 points in any quarter), fewer assists (15-16) and superstars deciding the game.

Knowing that bench squad were the team's weakness, coach Brett Brown had Philadelphia's all five starting players stay on the court for at least 40 minutes. Joel Embiid even played 45 minutes. Such arrangements worked, at least in the first three quarters in which Kawhi Leonard only made 10 of his 30 shots.

Ben Simmons #25 of the 76ers defends Leonard of the Raptors in the game, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

Actually both the 76ers and the Raptors were struggling in offense during most of the game. For 76ers, Joel Embiid's 21 points was already the highest of the team and so was the 18 shots he took. The Raptors should be happy that Serge Ibaka stood out from the bench to score 17 points but Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry had 11 and 10 points respectively. No wonder this game remained a stalemate for almost 48 minutes.

Leonard again became the difference who not only played the biggest role in offense (he took 39 shots in total) but also brought victory to Toronto with that fadeaway buzzer beater at last. Like Portland's McCollum, Leonard did not shine much in the regular season because he preferred perimeter shots and posting up than three-pointers and attacking the rim. However, it was such a play style that made him the most destructive weapon in the playoffs when playing uncomfortable became the teams' norm.

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Raptors shoots the buzzer beater that wins the game against the 76ers, May 12, 2019. /VCG Photo

Leonard's last shot not only defeated the 76ers this season, but also probably wrecked the team's plan in the offseason. Having multiple players see their contracts expire this summer, the 76ers will have to make a lot of decisions and some of them will not be easy. Should they keep J.J. Redick and Tobias Harris? If so, how much money should be offered? Jimmy Butler's contract will be due in 2020, so should the 76ers extend his deal too? Don't forget, this starting lineup won nothing for them this season, but if they decide to let one, two or all three of them go, are the 76ers sure that they can introduce someone better?