NBA Playoffs - Western Conference Semifinals
Game 4 - San Antonio leads series 3-0
Tip-off: Monday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: San Antonio -4, Total: 210.5

The Spurs have a chance to sweep away the Blazers and advance to the Western Conference Finals in Game 4 on Monday night.

In Saturday's Game 3, San Antonio showed why it has the best record in the NBA by going on the road and taking a commanding 3-0 in the series. The Spurs took control of the game from the beginning, leading by 20 points at the half, and finishing a perfect 25-of-25 from the foul line. Once again, their passing was at a high level on Saturday, as they had 23 assists to only seven turnovers, and the bench outscored Portland reserves by a ridiculous 40-6 margin. San Antonio improved to an astounding 32-13 SU (26-19 ATS) on the road this season, and another big trend favoring this club is its 24-5 ATS mark (83%) in the past three seasons when scoring 105+ points in 3+ straight games. The Blazers have started slow in every game this series, with lopsided halftime deficits of 26, 19 and 20 points. Their defense has struggled all season long, allowing 103.8 PPG on 45% FG, and those numbers have spiked to 113.3 PPG on 47% FG during the postseason. Saturday's loss dropped Portland to 19-26 ATS (33-12 SU) at home this season, but the club is still a strong 84-56 ATS (60%) as a home underdog of six points or less since 1996.The Spurs have made things very difficult on the offensive end for Portland, and it must get even bigger performances from LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard to extend its season, as PG Mo Williams will likely miss his second straight game with a groin injury.

The Spurs offense has been rolling this series with 116.0 PPG on 50.8% FG and 45.6% threes. PG Tony Parker continues to dominate the Blazers with 26.0 PPG (52.4% FG), 8.3 APG and 3.3 RPG in the three games. Portland has allowed Parker to get into the lane at will, and not only has he done a terrific job finishing at the rim, but has been equally as impressive distributing to his teammates with 16 assists and just five turnovers in the past two games. SF Kawhi Leonard has also had a great offensive series with 17.3 PPG on 56% FG, while also playing strong on the defensive end with 8.0 RPG and 2.3 SPG, and using his long arms to keep the Blazers' wing players in check. While SG Manu Ginobili struggled from the field in Game 3 (2-of-8 FG), he did a great job of attacking the rim and finishing at the line (10-of-10 FT). For the three games, Ginobili is shooting a pathetic 28% FG, but still has a well-rounded stat line of 10.7 PPG, 4.7 APG, 4.0 RPG and 1.7 SPG. PF Tim Duncan continues to have a solid series against Portland, and is doing whatever is needed to get the win. His 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists in Game 3 brings his series averages to 13.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.7 APG and 1.7 BPG. His frontcourt mate, C Tiago Splitter, has also provided strong production with 8.0 PPG (55% FG), 7.3 RPG and 1.3 SPG in the three victories this series.

Portland's offense has been anemic the entire series with only 97.3 PPG on 41% FG (33% threes). This is a far cry from the 105.8 PPG on 47% FG (34% threes) the team scored against San Antonio during the regular season. All five of the Trail Blazers starters contributed to the scoring column in Game 3, with C Robin Lopez (13 points, 7 boards) being the only starter that didn't score at least 20 points. PF LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged a double-double this series (23.0 PPG, 12.0 RPG), but is shooting only 38% from the floor. PG Damian Lillard also has a 38% FG clip (1-for-13 threes) during the three defeats, but has also contributed 19.0 PPG, 5.7 APG and 4.0 RPG. SF Nicolas Batum was Portland's best player in Game 3 with 20 points, nine boards and seven assists, and is the lone starter above 45% FG this series with an impressive 53% FG clip (47% threes). When the Blazers cut the lead to eight in the second half on Saturday, Batum played a huge role in that with three-pointers and great passes. SG Wes Matthews continues to have a solid series (14.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG), as he poured in 22 points with four rebounds in Game 3, but missed some easy opportunities at the rim to help close the gap. The Spurs are such an efficient team, that Portland has to take advantage any time it gets an easy opportunity. With Mo Williams out with a groin injury, somebody on the Portland bench is going to have to step up and give the starters some kind of help. SG Will Barton is the only other Blazers reserve averaging at least 2.0 PPG this series, as Barton has scored 7.3 PPG on a blistering 73% FG (8-of-11), including a perfect 4-of-4 on three-point attempts.