The Trail Blazers likely didn't think they'd be in this position at the start of the playoffs, but injuries to Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have allowed them to get one win away from the second round. Now they just have to beat the Clippers in Portland to earn the opportunity to battle the Warriors in the Western conference semifinals.
Clippers vs. Blazers 2016: Time, TV schedule and how to live stream NBA playoffs
The Trail Blazers have a chance to put the Clippers away for good.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
The Clippers fought valiantly in the first half of Game 5, even without their two biggest stars. They were up by five at the break even though no one had more than 10 points. It was a team effort that also saw them shut down Damian Lillard and limit C.J. McCollum. Unfortunately for them, they simply ran out of gas late, first surrendering their lead and then allowing Portland to run away with it in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, a solid performance from outmatched role players was not enough.
After struggling in the first two periods, the Blazers’ stars showed up. McCollum was huge in the third quarter to get Portland back in control of the game while Lillard made sure to squash any comeback attempts by scoring 14 points in the final frame. The two were just too much to handle for a Clippers team lacking elite offensive weapons and its best perimeter defender.
No one could blame Los Angeles for surrendering in Game 6. They lost two of the best players in the league in one night after a tumultuous season. Even if they somehow force a final showdown at Staples Center, they likely won’t have the firepower to win it. It really is Portland’s series to lose.
The Trail Blazers are young and inexperienced, however, so they might not be ready to close it yet. If they let the Clippers hang around, they could regret it. It will be on Lillard to lead his team to a win to avoid the stress of a potential Game 7 in Los Angeles.
How to watch Clippers vs. Trail Blazers Game 6
Place: Moda Center
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Streaming: WatchESPN
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