There’s a lot to be happy about if you’re a Portland Trail Blazers fan. As the season enters its final week, we thought we’d look at a few.
No team is perfect. Even championship teams are flawed in some way. What matters is how you play once the opening bell rings in the playoffs. And since that’s how it goes, the Blazers have reason for optimism.
Here are some things that should have Rip City anticipating the arrival off the playoffs.
Damian Lillard
This one seems obvious, but it has a news hook: On Monday, the league named Lillard its Western Conference Player of the Week.
Lillard had the NBA’s highest scoring average (28.3 points) during the week of March 26 to April 1. The Trail Blazers went 3-1 last week — and were actually undefeated in games in which Lillard played. (He missed last Wednesday’s embarrassing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.)
Dame also averaged 6.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists last week, according to the league, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 94.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Lillard is worthy of All-NBA consideration, and Rip City knows how important he is to the current and future success of the Blazers. We’re glad to have him leading the charge.
Blazers’ Three-Point Shooting
Wait a minute, you say. The Blazers have been terrible lately from three.
Yes, that’s true. The Blazers’ three-point shooting has dropped precipitously in recent games, particularly in the last six games. In that span, the team has shot a league-worst 27.9 percent from three. That’s a far cry from their season average of 37.1 percent — good enough for sixth-best in the NBA.
What the heck’s going on?
Well, a couple of things. Shooters gotta shoot, and sometimes the law of averages catches up to them and shots stop dropping. That’s what’s happening to the Blazers. (It’s not like they’re suddenly taking poor shots.)
Add to the mix some truly dreadful three-point shooting from Pat Connaughton, who has seen his playing time increase in Maurice Harkless’ absence, and Al-Farouq Aminu, and the Blazers’ typically stellar three-point shooting average is bound to take a nose dive. Connaughton is 4/19 (21 percent) from three in Portland’s last six games. Aminu was 8/37 (21.6 percent) during that span.
The good news: Portland is 4-2 in their last six games, despite poor three-point shooting, including wins over the Thunder, the Pelicans and the Clippers. When the pendulum swings the other way, and Portland starts hitting threes again, some playoff opponent is going to be in for a rough time.
The Return of Moe and Ed
Ed Davis sprained his ankle against the Clippers, and the initial prognosis suggested that he would likely be out at least a week — but more likely two.
Davis pooh-poohed that idea straightaway.
Ed Davis says he intends to return against either San Antonio or Denver. Is walking without a boot and without a limp. Right ankle is swollen, but he was emphatic he will return sooner than later.
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) April 2, 2018
The timetable for Harkless’ return is a bit longer; he’s unlikely to get back on the court before the end of the regular season. Which is fine. What we want is healthy players to carry the Blazers through the rugged playoffs, and Harkless and Davis are both vital pieces.
The absence of Harkless has been especially notable: the bench hasn’t played as well now that Evan Turner has moved back to the starting lineup. And as we’ve seen, Portland’s three-point shooting has suffered with Harkless out.
Blazers Blazin’
The Portland Trail Blazers have proven to be one of the best teams in the NBA.
Next: Trail Blazers clinch a playoff spot for fifth straight season
With Lillard guiding them through the thicket of playoff opponents; with a healthy Davis and Harkless back in the game; and with three-point baskets starting to fall once again, Portland is definitely one of the more formidable opponents the NBA has to offer.
And it’s reason for Rip City to get excited.
Bring on the playoffs.