NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Warriors vs. Trail Blazers matchup

3. Strength in numbers

Golden State adopted the phrase above as their mantra in recent years. It signifies the roster depth they’ve used to terrorize the league. But for this series, Portland’s strength will have to be in their numbers.

Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum are among the most potent scoring backcourts in the NBA. Both are capable of creating whatever they want on offense. But their brilliance alone won’t be enough.

The Blazers’ bench was outpaced by a combined 41 points in the two early season poundings they received by the Warriors. Team owner Paul Allen spent a total of $145 million on reserve guards Allen Crabbe and Evan Turner last summer to bolster said bench.

Crabbe and Turner posted net on/off ratings of -32 and -36 respectively, through the first two games combined versus the Warriors. Over their final pair of matchups in January, Turner proved he could be the Blazers’ x-factor. The seven-year veteran rebounded with 29 points and yielded a net on/off rating of +60 and helped the Blazers push the Warriors.

Players like Al-Farouq Aminu, Mo Harkless, and even Shabazz Napier will also need to be difference-makers for Portland. Napier scored 57 points total in the absence of Lillard and McCollum, over the final two regular season games.

For Golden State, depth is less of a concern because they start four All-Stars that can all dominate the game in various ways. Golden State beat Portland in a game without Steph Curry. They’ve also won without Klay Thompson’s offense.

So the Blazers must corral the likes of Ian Clark, Andre Iguodala, and Shaun Livingston. Their strength in numbers will have to exceed those of the Warriors. And it will start with their superstar point guard.

If Damian Lillard is not special in this series, then nothing else matters.