Blazers fan problems: It’s either way too early or way too late to worry

The Blazers have lost two straight. It’s way too early to worry, yeah? Or is it way too late NOT to worry?

Time is funny, is it not? Doesn’t it seem like ages ago that the Blazers were fumbling and bumbling their way to a disappointing 5-8 record in December?

And now that Portland has lost two straight games — to the Houston Rockets and the Boston Celtics — doesn’t it seem like that wonderful, super-duper, 13-game winning streak is already ancient history?

And it sure seems like a million years ago that we wrote that article about how the Blazers should be feeling mighty fine, despite losing to the Rockets and watching that glorious win streak go clank!, like so many Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum shots did that night?

Such is the way in the NBA.

One second you’re a world-beater, riding high on a string of inspiring victories.

The next, you’re looking at the schedule ahead and wondering if you’re even going to make the playoffs — much less retain the third seed in the Western Conference.

But panic?

We’ll find out Sunday.

And/or Tuesday.

Blazers vs. Thunder

The Trail Blazers play Sunday at 4 p.m. PDT in Oklahoma City against the Thunder, a team they’ve beaten regularly in recent games. (If the Blazers pull out of OKC with a win, it will be the first time they’ve swept the Thunder in a season series. Portland swept the then-Seattle SuperSonics during the 2002-2003 season.)

Like Portland, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been scratching and clawing their way up the Western Conference standings. Just one game separates the two teams from just about flip-flopping their respective positions.

Blazers vs. Pelicans

As you may have noticed, the New Orleans Pelicans are sitting there in the fifth spot — tied with the San Antonio Spurs, a team many people left for dead just a few weeks ago. That’s the thing about the Western Conference: It’s filled with zombie basketball teams that you think are kaput, but continually rise from the grave ands start climbing the standings.

The Blazers have lost two out of three games this season against the Pelicans. They can’t afford to drop anymore. Tip-off is Tuesday at 5 p.m. PDT.

That Time of Year

We’ve reached that point (see the McCollum quotation above): Every game is the biggest game of the season. As we’ve been warning for several weeks? months? now, there is precious little room for error in the Western Conference.

Next: Stotts in conversation for NBA’s Coach of the Year Award

We’ll know better Sunday evening if we should start to panic. And we (might) know for sure Tuesday night. If Portland can win both games, panic is premature and probably unwarranted. If they lose both games, however — then it might be time to curl up in a ball and wait for the storm to pass.

The Blazers control their own destiny. They need to hold tight. It remains a bumpy ride.