Key Highlights to Watch in Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Game 2

The San Antonio Spurs opened their series with Portland by winning Game 1, 111-98. Victor Wembanyama scored 35 points in his playoff debut, a franchise record for a postseason first game.

Wembanyama’s playoff encore

Wembanyama delivered a historic opener. His 35 points surpassed Tim Duncan’s 32 in a Spurs playoff debut.

The third-year star is a Kia MVP finalist. He also just won his first Defensive Player of the Year award.

Wembanyama had five rebounds in Game 1. That was well below his 11.5 season average.

He recorded one assist and four turnovers in the opener. Expect him to attack the glass more in Game 2.

Portland’s offensive challenges

The Trail Blazers ranked 21st in offense during the regular season. They averaged 113.1 points per 100 possessions.

Portland trailed by only two points with under eight minutes left in the third quarter. That showed the Blazers could still compete.

Deni Avdija led Portland with 30 points in his playoff debut. He was the team’s top scorer in Game 1.

Jrue Holiday shot 4-for-15 and 1-for-7 from three. Shaedon Sharpe was 4-for-13 overall and 0-for-4 from long range.

Sharpe averaged a career-best 20.8 points this season. He must shoot more efficiently to help the Blazers win.

Spurs defense and coaching

San Antonio finished the regular season with the league’s third-ranked defense. That defense limited Portland in Game 1.

Mitch Johnson completed his first full season as head coach. He took over on an interim basis last season.

Johnson led the Spurs to a 62-20 record and the No. 2 seed in the West. He was named one of three Coach of the Year finalists on Sunday.

In Game 1, the Spurs controlled the tempo. Johnson and his staff executed a plan that avoided a late-game collapse.

Decision-making will face more scrutiny as the series continues. Game management will matter in the weeks ahead.

What to watch in Game 2

• Can Wembanyama build on his 35-point, record-setting playoff debut?
• Will Portland improve shooting from Holiday and Sharpe to boost its offense?
• How will Mitch Johnson adjust rotations and strategy in this series?

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The Spurs vs. Trail Blazers matchup will reveal early playoff adjustments.

Reporting by Jeff Zillgitt for Filmogaz.com.