Portland Trail Blazers face adversity in home stretch

As you are probably aware, the NBA regular season is rapidly closing. In fact, the Trail Blazers have just 14 games remaining this season as they try to jostle for positioning in the Western Conference. Currently, the Trail Blazers sit in the fourth seed, although this is only because they are the leader of the Northwest Division (they no longer have the fourth best record).

The Clippers actually have the better record now, and if the two teams were to meet in the playoffs, home-court advantage would go to the Clippers (home court depends on record, not seeding). Before even thinking about seeding, though, the Trail Blazers need to ensure that they make it into the playoffs.

Mar 1, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) reacts to a call during the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

News has been scarce on the Nicolas Batum (back) and LaMarcus Aldridge (hand) injuries front, although both have been officially classified as doubtful for tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors. If those injuries end up being severe, the Trail Blazers could be in a dicey situation.

Hypothetically, consider if both of them miss some time. In that case, the Trail Blazers could very well be looking at playing crucial games down the stretch without three of their five starters, which is a daunting scenario for any team. These injury woes are compounded even further by the fact that one of the Blazers’ top bench options, Chris Kaman, is himself combating a shoulder strain (also doubtful against the Warriors).

If you were hoping for the Trail Blazers’ final 14 games to be a cakewalk, think again. Only one of their 14 remaining games comes against an Eastern Conference team (the April 6^thmakeup game against the Nets). Five games are against current Western Conference playoff teams, including two against the Warriors, who have the best record in the league.

Of the remaining eight games, three are against teams in the hunt for the final spot in the West – two against the Suns and one against the Pelicans. And of the last batch of remaining games, two come against the Jazz, who are currently in the midst of a 10-3 stretch. Additionally, the Jazz are allowing the fewest points per game in the league, and absolutely blew the Trail Blazers out the last time they played, 94-76. Those 76 points scored were the fewest this season for Portland.

The Trail Blazers have their work cut out for them. Securing a top-four record in order to have home court advantage in the playoffs would be great, but at this point, they first and foremost need to make sure they get in. They already have a good enough record that this shouldn’t be a problem, but, again, if the team is looking at playing games without Wesley Matthews, Batum, and Aldridge, that’s a huge talent void.