Schrempf Goes From No Role to Key Minutes

Veteran forward Detlef Schrempf was as surprised as anyone when he did not get to play in Portland’s Game 4 loss to the Lakers. But if Schrempf complained, he kept it quiet.

Schrempf got a chance to redeem himself in Game 5 on Tuesday and he made the most of his opportunity. He played 21 minutes and had 11 points and five rebounds, and also played strong defense on the perimeter.

“I thought I was going to be a big part of Game 4, but that’s how the game has gone for me this year,” Schrempf said. “Sometimes I play, sometimes I don’t. I try and stay focused and ready but it is tough at times.”

It was a different story for Schrempf and the rest of the Trail Blazer reserves, who stepped up in a big way in Game 5. Bonzi Wells had 17 points and four rebounds, and Brian Grant added nine points and seven rebounds.

“Our bench has been great all year long. We’ve gotten away from using it a little but tonight we really depended on the bench,’ Schrempf said. “Everyone was ready and did a good job.”

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News flash:

The Trail Blazers won the third quarter, 27-22.

In Game 3, it’s when they went from 10 points up to one down as the Lakers shot 64.7% and Shaquille O’Neal scored 13 points. In Game 4, it’s when Portland went from five up to 10 down and Glen Rice scored 12 points.

In Game 5?

The Trail Blazers went in with an eight-point lead and left ahead by 13. O’Neal had 10 points, making all four shots, but the rest of the Lakers had only 12 combined.

“But it’s not like I didn’t emphasize it last game,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said. “It’s one of those things where you keep going after it and hopefully you get it right. It was just a matter of staying aggressive and not in any way giving up.”

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Even more startling, the Trail Blazers are 0-4 at home in the Western Conference finals the last two seasons, losing by a combined 50 points at that.

Only one of the four has even been close, Game 3 against the Lakers. The two last season were by 22 against the San Antonio Spurs--when the Trail Blazers set franchise playoff records for fewest points (63) and field goals (19) and poorest shooting (24.7%)--and then 14 points as the clincher to a four-game sweep.

Except for the San Antonio series, Portland was 5-0 at home in the 1999 postseason. In 2000, the Trail Blazers were also 5-0 before the conference finals.