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Western Conference finals preview Click here for more on this story Posted: Friday May 28, 1999 01:32 PM Sports Illustrated staff writer Marty Burns breaks down the Western Conference finals. Click here for his look at the Eastern Conference's Pacers-Knicks matchup. No. 1 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 2 Portland Trail Blazers   Inside Edge Frontcourt: Backcourt: Depth: Coaching: EVEN Athleticism: Intangibles: Prediction Spurs in six games How they got here: Spurs def. Timberwolves (3-1 in first round) and Lakers (4-0 in conference semifinals); Blazers def. Suns (3-0 in first round) and Jazz (4-2 in conference semifinals). Season series: Spurs, 3-1. Matchup to watch: Spurs C David Robinson vs. Blazers C Arvydas Sabonis. The Admiral will try to use his speed and quickness against the bulky Sabonis, whose clever passing initiates Portland's attack. Spurs win if: Robinson scores at least 20 points, bench players like PG Antonio Daniels, PF Malik Rose and SG Jaren Jackson chip in a combined 10-15 more, and SG Mario Elie doesn't give SG Isaiah Rider too many chances to pound his chest. Blazers win if: PF Brian Grant can stay out of foul trouble against PF Tim Duncan, they grab at least 10 offensive rebounds and commit no more than 15 turnovers, and PG Damon Stoudamire hits at least as many big shots as counterpart Avery Johnson does. The X-factor: Blazers PF Rasheed Wallace. Wallace, the team's sixth man, has the size (6'11") and quickness to help defend Duncan and give Portland some much-needed scoring inside. The Spurs have nobody on their bench to match up with him.   Related information Stories Blazers topple Jazz 4-2, brace for Spurs showdown Playoff winners and losers, halfway home Sports Illustrated's Inside the NBA Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI.

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