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Can Blazers Make the Playoffs?

By McLayne Bertsch

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Are the Blazers Good Enough For the Playoffs?

The playoffs might be closer in reach than you think. Gone are the days of the powerful Western Conference that denied good teams of playoff spots. In fact, The Eastern Conference has the upper hand in head-to-head games thus far with 54 wins to 47 losses. (Basketballreference.com) The Western Conference features seven good teams that will coast into the playoffs. The Warriors, Spurs, Clippers, Thunder, Grizzlies, Mavericks and Rockets will all make it. (The Rockets will figure things out, even if GM Darryl Morey has to secretly orchestrate a break up between Khloe and James Harden.) This will make the race for the eighth seed in the West interesting. Unlike years past, it will not take a great record to get to eighth place. Everyone is still in it. Well… maybe not the Lakers.

Each week, I’ll provide an update for the bottom eight teams in the Western Conference. With this update, you will get a real-time *RCP Playoffs % chance of reaching the playoffs via the eighth seed.

*RCP Playoffs % is a complex algorithm that consists of watching NBA games and making partially educated guesses.

The Bottom Eight

Utah Jazz (8-9) RCP Playoffs % = 26%
I was ready to call the Jazz the overwhelming favorites before being dealt a major blow this week with the “Stifle Tower,” Rudy Gobert, out indefinitely.  The Jazz have looked pretty solid most nights and have only played six home games thus far. However, Gobert is essential to their defense. They will be hard pressed to keep a .500 record with no rim protection.

New Orleans Pelicans (4-15) RCP Playoffs % = 20%
The New Orleans Pelicans had trouble finding nine players to suit up earlier in the year. They went from dark horse title contender to a 1-11 record very quickly. However, the Pelicans still employ Anthony Davis. It will be an uphill battle, but now that the Pelicans are healthy, they still have a decent shot at making the playoffs despite being 11 games under .500.

More from Blazers News

Phoenix Suns (8-11) RCP Playoffs % = 18%
Blazers fans might rate Phoenix higher than other NBA fans. The Suns blew out the Blazers on a back-to-back home and away early in the season. The Suns guards seemed unstoppable. As it turns out, most guards seem unstoppable against the Blazers. The Suns have run into some defensive issues of their own as of late, losing six of their last seven games while giving up 114 a game during that stretch. (si.com) If they can get Markieff Morris to quit pouting about not living with his twin, they have a great shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers (8-12) RCP Playoffs % = 15%
Portland’s season has been a roller coaster. While there are plenty of positive signs, they are mastering the 4th quarter collapse. The Blazers might be unlucky to lose 12 times already with how close the games have been, but it is not too surprising. They are the third youngest team in the NBA. (basketball.realgm.com) Last night’s win vs. the Indiana Pacers was important. To actually protect a 4th quarter lead against a very good team gives a boost of much needed confidence. Equally as important, we saw the good Al-Farouq Aminu, who was absent for a couple weeks. The Blazers need Aminu to consistently hit threes to help space out defenders on C.J. McCollum or Damian Lillard drives. This was a supposed rebuilding year, but games like last night’s win against Indiana have Rip City thinking of a potential trip to the playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves (8-10) RCP Playoffs % = 13%
The Timberwolves are set for the future. Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony-Towns are already stars at age 20. I like what they have done surrounding young talent with some veterans, Kevin Garnett and Tayshaun Prince, who can show them the ropes. Unfortunately, they have a point guard that cannot shoot the basketball or consistently stay on the floor. We are in year five of the Ricky Rubio experience and his shooting percentage is dipping to an all-time low. This is a fun team to watch, but the Timberwolves are very young and might be a year away from making a run.

Sacramento Kings (7-13) RCP Playoffs % = 6%
Like usual, the Sacramento Kings are dysfunctional. How could the Kings front office think the trio of DeMarcus Cousins, George Karl, and Rajon Rondo would be a good idea? A point guard playing all 48 minutes for back-to-back games in early November is not a good sign. Karl trying to suspend Cousins, while being overruled by ownership is even worse. However, neither are surprising. Based on the last few years of Kings basketball, I am not surprised by any story that comes out of Sacramento. Actually, I take that back. According to Yahoo Sports, Rondo, Cousins and Karl apparently had a “powerful and positive” meeting earlier this week. (Yahoo Sports) Now that is surprising.

Nov 9, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) guards Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Trail Blazers 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Nuggets (7-13) RCP Playoffs % = 2%
The Blazers fans can sympathize with Denver’s long losing streak. Those are never fun. Even though they snapped it last night, I am not sure the Nuggets will recover this season. It is troubling that none of the eight games on the losing streak were close contests. After a promising start to the year, it looks like the Nuggets are on the verge of a fire-sale. We are looking at you Kenneth Faried.

Los Angeles Lakers (3-15) RCP Playoffs % = 0%
This Kobe Bryant farewell tour seems like a well-orchestrated, media friendly way to tank. Visiting fans will fill up arenas for a chance to see Bryant throw a few shots in the vicinity of the basket. The Lakers will have to give him minutes and a green light to shoot the rock. Meanwhile, the Lakers know they get to keep their pick from the 76ers only if it is in the top three. Brilliant.