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Northwest Division Outlook: How will the Trail Blazers Finish?

By Derek Thurston

Apr 6, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) go after a loose ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) go after a loose ball during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Blazers won the game 120-115. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3). Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3). Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Record last season: (44-38, 5th place in West)
Projected 2016-2017 Win total: (46.5)
Odds to win NW Division: (12/5)

The Trail Blazers have a lot of expectations coming into this season, and with good reason. They were able to retain all of their key contributors from last year’s roster outside of Gerald Henderson, and with the additions of Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli, the Blazers feel they have addressed the needs of this roster. With the experience of a playoff series win under their belts, the young core of players on this team are hungry to prove that last season’s success was not an accident. Portland’s versatility and depth will cause many problems for teams around the league, and will be a key factor if the Blazers are to win the NW Division and gain a top-4 seed in the West.

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With tough competition within the division, Portland clearly sees a NW Division crown as their best path to earning home-court in the first round. It will be a true test of their development as a team, and validate their strong performance last season. Of course, earning a top-4 seed is no guarantee that the Blazers will advance in the playoffs (see last year’s Clippers/Blazers 1st round matchup), but it will put the Trail Blazers in the best position for playoff success. With a tight race for playoff seeding expected, the Blazers’ record against division opponents could be the deciding factor at season’s end.