The Brief Case
Casey Holdahl, beat reporter and insider for the Portland Trail Blazers, breaks down the news of the day in Rip City and beyond
The Brief Case
Losing Game 1 In San Antonio, Bouncing Back In Game 2 And Deni Name Finalist For Most Improved On The Brief Case, Episode 204
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On this edition of The Brief Case, presented by Spirit Mountain Casino, Trail Blazers reporter/Insider Casey Holdahl discusses...
• The Trail Blazers losing 111-98 to the Spurs in Game 1 of the two/seven matchup of the Western Conference Playoffs
• Trail Blazers hang around for the first three quarters despite not playing all that well
• Portland gets to within two early in the third, but a few turnovers later, the lead was back to double digits and would remain there for the rest of the game
• Deni Avdija joins LeBron James as the only players to post at least 30 points, at least 10 rebounds and at least five assists in their playoff debut
• Scoot Henderson and Robert Williams III were both up to the task Sunday in San Antonio
• What the Trail Blazers did well (taking care of the ball, defending without fouling) and what they'll need to improve upon (second chance points, three-point shooting) to have a chance in Game 2 Tuesday in San Antonio
• Deni Avdija is named a finalist for the 2026 Most Improved Player Award along with Atlanta's Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Detroit's Jalen Duren
• All the MIP candidates have a good case, but Deni is the only one who can claim to also be Most Improved AND the best player on his team this season
• And if we're looking at Game 1 playoff performances (and the votes are already cast, so w're really not), Deni's Game 1 was considerably better than Duren or Alexander-Walker
• Get out to Moda Center for Game 3