In light of the recent struggles since the Jusuf Nurkic injury, let’s look back on the good times of the NBA’s Best Team in March.
Portland took their game to another level in March. The Blazers beat playoff contenders, playoff mainstays, and even a playoff hopeful.
Before April, Portland was 11 games under .500 and entered on a two-game losing streak. Both losses hurt: a loss to the Lowry-less Raptors; an overtime loss at Detroit where the offense failed to show in OT.
With a 24-35 record, the Blazers could have laid down and unleashed the tank. Some fans wanted that; some fans were still playoffs or bust. I was part of the latter, and am I glad Portland was too.
A big part of the stellar month has been Jusuf Nurkić, whose play seems to have elevated everyone; a big part of the stellar month has been Damian Lillard, whose leadership and flamethrower abilities carry the offense when it slips.
The Blazers are playing great basketball, so let’s look back at some of their best.