2020 NBA Playoffs: 3 reasons the Portland Trail Blazers can upset the Los Angeles Lakers

The Portland Trail Blazers face a tall task in trying to become just the sixth No. 8 seed to win a series. But here are three reasons to have optimism about their chances.

In just about every instance in which the Portland Trail Blazers have imagined some sort of championship season, there’s generally always been one team standing in their way: the Los Angeles Lakers. And, to the surprise of no one, 2020 will be no different.

The Lakers and Blazers will take Tuesday night’s main event, with Game One set to tip-off at 6 p.m. on TNT.

Despite a red-hot 7-2 start in Orlando play, the Blazers have walked the tightrope between being to some “the most dangerous No. 8 seed in quite some time,” and simply becoming one of many blimps on the Lakers’ championship radar. Where exactly do they stand?

History tells us that they don’t have much of a chance. Since 1984, No. 8 seeds are 5-67 — yes, 5-of-72, roughly a six percent success rate — against No. 1 seeds. And in 17 seasons, LeBron James-led teams have never been first round outs.

But, odds have never meant much to this Portland Trail Blazers group. The odds of them being here were slim. The odds of creating a contending foundation around Weber State and Lehigh University graduates were once in a lifetime. The last star point guard to slay a No. 1 seed did in Oakland. And he was from California. Why not this one?

And if I’m Terry Stotts, that’s my pre-game speech. That, and something about starting the third quarter strong. He’s on his own on that one, though.

If the Blazers are to become the sixth team to win a series as a No. 8 seed, they’ll need to focus on executing upon a few thoughts. Here are three reasons to have faith in a “We Believe” Blazers team in their upcoming series against the Lakers.