10.) Quality Wins Over Not-So-Quality Opponents
The old adage that you have to take a season one game at a time rung true in March. While Portland was off slaying playoff-worthy opponents, they also took care of lesser teams.
The Suns are in full-on tank mode, letting Devin Booker run around and drop 70 points on opponents.
The Knicks are the Knicks.
The Timberwolves are technically still in the playoff race, but won’t make it.
The Hawks have struggled to find an identity. Dennis Schroder is not the answer at point guard. Dwight Howard is not the answer at center. Poor Paul Millsap.
Without taking care of these teams, Portland couldn’t have strung together momentum-building win streaks. But the Blazers were locked in, and swept them to the side with ease.