The Portland Trail Blazers were supposed to be the easy target in West Group C of the NBA Cup.

But now they can win "The Group of Death" if they knock off the visiting San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Portland is 2-1 in the tough five-team group that includes the Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. The Nuggets are also 2-1 but the Trail Blazers defeated Denver and control their own destiny.

Beat the Spurs, and Portland advances to the knockout stage.

"It's an important game for the Cup and for the standings as well," Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter told reporters. "I think we're going with a good positive energy, with confidence, with a big chance to go win the game. So I'm happy with where we are. We got to stay two feet on the floor, but it's goi

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