The series between the OKC Thunder and the Portland Trailblazers, though decidedly entertaining, wasn’t all that complex. The Blazers’ two best players consistently hit their shots. Aside from stretches here and there, the Thunder’s two best players didn’t. Portland capitalized on the Thunder’s weaknesses and forced OKC into rough spots. OKC didn’t. Portland’s role players hit their three’s and played smart defense. The Thunder’s role players didn’t. There were, of course, more things going on than that but above all else, those are the things that won Portland the series.
From minute one, it just felt like Portland had been in total control of everything.