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The Trail Blazers’ Season Sits on the Brink

By Taylor Odenat

April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Can the current Trail Blazers team find success against the Clippers?

After dropping another game to the Los Angeles Clippers by a large margin the Trail Blazers are in murky waters. They defied the odds by making their way to the postseason, ranking higher than teams with seemingly more talented players. Now their improbable season is on life support as the series returns to Portland.

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The Trail Blazers rode the back of an impressive season by Damian Lillard (who is averaging career highs across the board). Lillard has also had tons of assistance from backcourt-mate C.J. McCollum (Most Improved Player Award winner). After losing 4 out 5 members of last season’s starting lineup, McCollum accepted a substantial boost in playing time and made ample contributions with that increase. The magical season by the Blazers’ guard tandem led the fourth youngest roster in the league to a surprise finish. However magical it was, it now appears they are doomed for another first round exit. Do they have enough in them to prove everyone wrong once again?

Realistically, the Blazers don’t have the size to compete with the Clippers. DeAndre Jordan is an elite rebounder and uber athletic. Additionally, his frontcourt partner Blake Griffin recently returned back from injury to wreak havoc on the league once again. Portland’s big men aren’t nearly as paint controlling, Mason Plumlee lead the team in blocks during the regular season with 1.0 BPG. Behind Plumlee is Ed Davis, who averaged less than a block per game.

Apr 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24), forward Maurice Harkless (4), guard C.J. McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (9) defend during game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Staples center. The Clippers defeated the Trail Blazers 102-81 to take a 2-0 lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) dunks the ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24), forward Maurice Harkless (4), guard C.J. McCollum (3) and guard Damian Lillard (9) defend during game two of the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Staples center. The Clippers defeated the Trail Blazers 102-81 to take a 2-0 lead. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Clippers easily build commanding leads by going into the paint, deficits that the Trail Blazers aren’t able to cut down to make the game close. There have been a combined seven lead changes in the first two games of the series. The only lead that Portland had in Game 2 was at the opening tip, then the Clippers took off from there.

McCollum has been struggling mightily on offense. He has not provided Lillard with the help he needs if they’re going to attempt to defeat the Clippers. Portland knows he is capable of performing in playoff situations. He averaged 18.8 ppg in their series against the Memphis Grizzlies last postseason. Despite his young age, McCollum is fully capable of performing on a stage as bright as the playoffs.

Additionally, NBA fans and commentators everywhere talk about Lillard’s ability to come through in the clutch. If the Trail Blazers are planning on suiting up in the second round they’ll need their point guard to return to hero-like form. Otherwise, the summer break will start before May in Portland.

There is potential on this roster to compete harder; however, that hasn’t translated on the court. Optimistically, Portland could protect their home floor for at least one of the games in Rip City. Pessimistically, the Clippers will continue their onslaught and eventually accomplish the sweep. This will give LA plenty of time to watch and see how Stephen Curry recovers from injury.

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Portland may not have an equally talented group of players as the Clippers do, but as long as there is an increase in energy and an established sense of urgency there will be a noticeable improvement. Their current 0-2 record isn’t ideal, but Rip City isn’t down for the count just yet.