What teams can Portland beat in the playoffs out West.

[wezbo]

if portland still had zach theyd beat l.a, cause z-bo usualy creams l.a

[Spykes]

As a Blazer fan, I have to agree with corona in that wouldn't have a chance against Denver in this postseason. Yes, the Blazers have beat Denver twice this year, but I happen to think those have been exceptions to the rule. Overall in the past few years (and once this year), Denver has owned Portland. The Blazers just match up really poorly against the Nuggets.

Utah would be an interesting series. Korver and Utah's playoff experience likely tips the scales in their favor, but Portland could give them a solid 6 or 7 game series.

The Blazers could probably do really good against the Lakers. Even when Portland was having some down years, they always generally played really well against the Lakers. I think they'd be the Blazers best chance at winning a 7 game series.

Outside of Utah and LA, the Blazers would be in for a short playoff run against most of the teams out West. With everyone else, Portland might be able to squeeze out a win or two, but that's probably the max.

[J~Rush]

considering good teams are typically average on the second of b2bs (see: san antonio struggling against new york tonight), and that most teams get healthy for the playoffs....i'd say both factor in heavily when determining how much stake to put in early-season head-to-head matchups.

So can I give that as an excuse to why we lost to the Jazz to end our streak? That is what I am getting from your post.

Also, the second matchup between Denver and Portland, it is not like Portland was injury free in that game. Aldridge and Oden were not in that game.

Anyway, my point is, while I doubt we can beat any team in a playoff series, I was trying to predict teams I think we would have the best shot, but would still likely fall short.

You really can't include Oden in any discussion regarding this year. You might as well say we were without Rudy Fernandez.

[DraftBoy10]

Excuses, excuses. Bottom line is the Blazers won't be able to beat any of those teams in a playoff series.

The Jazz are a much better team come playoff time, do you really believe that they'll stop Deron, or Carlos come playoff time. San Antonio, and Houston certainly couldn't do it.

Denver? They're eyes would ligthen up, if they were to play portland come playoff time. They have no answer for Carmelo or Iverson and have too much experience on this team young Blazers team. Defenses would tighten, and the star power will prevail.

Houston? No. Not if T-Mac plays like a 28/7/7 playoff performer he is. He's choked, but against high quality teams. Portland isn't that just yet, and is completely stoppable.

Hornets? No. The Hornets are just better, plain and simple.

Playoffs are a whole other game.

[Spykes]

Houston? No. Not if T-Mac plays like a 28/7/7 playoff performer he is. He's choked, but against high quality teams. Portland isn't that just yet, and is completely stoppable.

TMac isn't the problem for the Blazers when it comes to Houston, it's Yao.

I view Portland a lot like I view Toronto last season. If Portland is able to get into the playoffs this season, I don't expect any different outcome than what we saw with Toronto in the playoffs last season. A win or two and done.

And honestly, I'm perfectly fine with that. Every team has to start somewhere. The confidence of just making the post season will do wonders for the Blazers.

[DraftBoy10]

-= original quote snipped =-



TMac isn't the problem for the Blazers when it comes to Houston, it's Yao.

T-Mac has been the better playoff performer, and I expect no different if Houston is to make the playoffs again. So I think, both are problems, but McGrady is the major problem.

[Spykes]

T-Mac has been the better playoff performer, and I expect no different if Houston is to make the playoffs again. So I think, both are problems, but McGrady is the major problem.

With TMac's health issues, I don't think you can serious count on him being a problem. And based off what I've seen when the Blazers play Houston, the player they really struggle with is Yao, not TMac. It's true that both are problems, but Yao has historically been the bigger problem for Portland when the teams play each other.

[The_Believer]

I like the Blazers/Raptors analogy, as the regular season and playoffs are completely different. (Which the Raps found out very quickly)

[akikan]

i dont know, everyone was saying playoffs is a whole different monster when GSW went up against dallas, who they spanked throughout regular season, and we all know how that ended up when it came to a 7 game series.

[Ballings7]

I think they could beat Phoenix.

The lack of playoff experience is there for Portland, but Portland has a lot of the kind of players that tend to give the Suns issues. As well as being a bigger, deeper team than the Suns, and the Blazers can score and shoot with them.

How do the Suns slow down Roy? Aldridge? Outlaw? Webster? Frye? Jack? All of those guys are above-average or better offensively. Being quick, big, athletic, skilled, and tough (for who it relates to). Then you have players in their offense like Blake, J. Jones, Pryzbilla, S-Rod. Pryzbilla doesn't have much offense, but his rebounding and size around the paint favors him to be better than usual, against the Suns.

Not sure if they have anybody to defend Nash effectively... maybe Outlaw or even Roy, with their size and quickness. Roy's not a bad defender. Amare won't be contained, other than by foul trouble. Marion? Who knows, one of their wings have potential to slow him down, but could also just have a good series. I think Hill would play well. Barbosa is an x-factor. Diaw isn't reliable (yet).

I think they'd make it 6 game series, at least.

The playoff game and atmosphere may get to a certain amount of players for Portland, but just because a team/players lack playoff experience doesn't always favor them to struggle. Pure talent and confidence and depth and coaching can negate things. All of which Portland has.

I think they also could beat Denver (not quite going off their games so far), and to a lesser degree Dallas. With Dallas I like how they have the personnel that would favor to defend Dirk.

Doubt they'll get to face Houston.

[The_Believer]

i dont know, everyone was saying playoffs is a whole different monster when GSW went up against dallas, who they spanked throughout regular season, and we all know how that ended up when it came to a 7 game series.

Of course, there are always going to be some exceptions.

[TradeMachine]

I'm inclined to say none, but I think we can take NO to the wire, especially if we somehow get HC advantage.

I know regular season doesn't mean much in terms of playoff success, but just to point out how the Blazers have fared against these teams to date:

San Antonio: 0-2
Dallas: 1-1
Phoenix: 0-0
LA Lakers: 0-0
Golden State: 1-0
New Orleans: 2-1
Houston: 0-1
Utah: 2-1
Denver: 2-1

[Bucs80]

Of all the Playoffs type teams in the Western Conference, what teams could Portland beat in a playoffs series?


San Antonio
Dallas
Phoenix
LA Lakers
Golden State
New Orleans
Houston
Utah
Denver

none... even though they did beat New Orleans.

I'm pretty sure Chris Paul and company would be able to handle them in the playoffs. They got the players with experience who actually gone there too.

[NBALakerLegends]

I'm inclined to say none, but I think we can take NO to the wire, especially if we somehow get HC advantage.

I know regular season doesn't mean much in terms of playoff success, but just to point out how the Blazers have fared against these teams to date:

San Antonio: 0-2
Dallas: 1-1
Phoenix: 0-0
LA Lakers: 0-0
Golden State: 1-0
New Orleans: 2-1
Houston: 0-1
Utah: 2-1
Denver: 2-1

Once again, these are regular season records, but they are fairly impressive.

[Young_Star11]

Portland would beat SA in Game 1 in SA, then lose in 5. Just ask Denver fans.

I can't see them beating Dallas or Phoenix in a series.

Utah's an interesting one. They are not playing very well right now, but fresh from a conference finals appearance, if they can rediscover that form, they should beat Portland.

Haven't seen any GS-Portland games, but if the Warriors get the HCA, I'd pick them to win.

The Kobe factor is huge in a Lakers-Blazers playoff series. Whilst it'd be different teams than the 2000 series, the result would still be the same.

I reckon they could tip over NO, but I don't see the sides meeting in the playoffs.

Denver have too many guns for Portland, although Portland have beaten Denver and played them very nicely in the process. Tough to assume that this would continue in the playoffs.

And Houston, my team. Unlikely that Houston would play Portland, but if they were play, T-Mac might just lose that second-round virginity he's had for a while.

---

Of course, a nice playoff series here would give even greater encouragement for Portland fans, as if they weren't already excited about their team in the future. At 5-12, adding Beasley or Mayo could've been the case, but after a hot run, a mid-round pick would also fill nice holes. An NBA-ready player from the get-go and this side is amazing.

[DmoneyH3]

with Brandon Roy leading our team..anything can happen.
The only matchup I don't like is against the Spurs..I think it would go down to the wire vs the rest of the West. If we make it to the playoffs.we won't go down without a fight, no matter the team. no matter the round.

[NO-KG-AI]

They've done a pretty good job beating us this year.... no reason to think they can't do it in the playoffs

[Vega]

It's pretty difficult to guess how emerging teams will perform come playoff time. At this time last year there weren't many who predicted that either Utah or GS would make it past the first round.

[farzi]

-= original quote snipped =-



That's only because Randolph would abuse Odom every second offensive play when you played us last year and the year before.
Randolph's gone nows...

And we're better for it. LMA > Randolf.

[Spykes]

That's only because Randolph would abuse Odom every second offensive play when you played us last year and the year before.
Randolph's gone nows...

And that's bad for Portland... how?

They're clearly much improved without him, so there's nothing to say that the Blazers won't continue to have the same kind of success against LA that they have in the past.

Of course, a nice playoff series here would give even greater encouragement for Portland fans, as if they weren't already excited about their team in the future. At 5-12, adding Beasley or Mayo could've been the case, but after a hot run, a mid-round pick would also fill nice holes. An NBA-ready player from the get-go and this side is amazing.

Exactly. For the Blazers this season, a deep run through the playoffs isn't important, nor is it necessary, as much as just getting there is. Now, to be fair to Portland, the playoffs are a different beast and with a young emerging team, you never know what you might get. Portland's play is probably better suited for playoff basketball as they are primarily a half-court team. However, their youth/inexperience and lack of a dominate inside presence all but locks them in for a short stay in the post season. But again, that OK for Portland. There's nothing wrong with that. Just the knowledge that this team can make it there while missing a big piece to the puzzle is vitally important for a team as young as this.