Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 20, 1990 TAG: 9005200177
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PORTLAND, ORE. LENGTH: Medium
The Blazers, aided by a crucial breakaway foul call, beat the San Antonio Spurs 108-105 in overtime in Game 7 Saturday to reach the Western Conference finals for the first time since their NBA championship season of 1976-77.
"The guys got together and really pulled it out," said Clyde Drexler, Portland's All-Star forward. "It was a gutsy win. It was a true test of character. You've got to keep the faith, keep persevering and keep doing the things that got you here."
The Blazers, who open their conference final series against Phoenix on Monday night in Portland, trailed by seven points with 2 1/2 minutes left in regulation Saturday before rallying to force overtime.
With the score 103-103 and less than 30 seconds remaining in overtime, Portland's Jerome Kersey came up with the big play.
San Antonio was working for the go-ahead basket when Rod Strickland's no look pass headed out of bounds on the Spurs' baseline.
Most players would have let the ball go out of bounds, but Kersey saved it and threw an off-balance pass to Drexler, who was breaking at midcourt. Strickland was called for a breakaway foul on Drexler with 26.2 seconds to go.
"That's Jerome Kersey," said Rick Adelman, Portland's coach. "Jerome Kersey makes more hustle plays than anybody in this league. He never surprises me when he makes a play like that."
Drexler made the two free throws and Portland got the ball out of bounds. Drexler was fouled again and hit both free throws to make it 107-103 with 16.4 seconds remaining.
Kersey said he decided to go for Strickland's errant pass because he saw San Antonio's Willie Anderson make a move toward the ball.
"When I first saw the ball, I thought about letting it go," Kersey said. "Then I saw Willie make a step toward the ball, and I thought, `I'd better do something here because you never know.'"
"I just threw it out and Clyde, with his great speed, tracked it down."
Terry Cummings of the Spurs made two free throws with 9.1 seconds left to make it 107-105. Drexler then was fouled and hit one of two foul shots with 7.3 seconds remaining, giving San Antonio a chance at a game-tying 3-pointer.
But Terry Porter, who finished with 36 points and nine assists, stole Reggie Williams' inbounds pass to preserve the victory.
It was the second overtime game in the series. The Blazers won 138-132 in double overtime in Game 5.
"I think we were the better team," said Larry Brown, San Antonio's coach. "But it was a great, competitive series between two teams most people don't know much about, and I was thrilled to be part of it."
"Our shot selection wasn't the best in the last part of regulation and overtime and we paid for it," Brown said. "We bailed Portland out with a lot of fadeaway jumpers. But our young kids learned a lot."
Drexler finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for Portland. Kersey added 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Buck Williams contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Drexler, who made only three of his first 13 shots, scored 16 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
"Even on nights when I'm struggling, Coach Adelman keeps calling my play and my teammates keep giving me the ball," Drexler said. "Sooner or later you've got to do something good."
San Antonio, which lost its 13th straight game in Portland, was led by Cummings with 27 points. David Robinson, who had two points and three fouls at halftime, finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds. Anderson also scored 20 for the Spurs.
Portland center Kevin Duckworth was a surprise starter, playing just two weeks after breaking a bone in his right hand. He came on the court after the rest of the team to a rousing cheer from the crowd.
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB