11. Portland Trail Blazers (4-3)
Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. And that’s exactly what happened to the Portland Trail Blazers in their playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers. Yes, they may have won a playoff series because the Clippers’ two best players were out due to injury, but to even be in position to take advantage of such circumstances is an accomplishment enough for this team.
Portland lost 80 percent of its starting lineup last summer, including LaMarcus Aldridge, and kind of had to just stick pieces where they could in the summer. Now, the Blazers, led by Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, are one of the final eight teams standing in the NBA.
The Blazers likely won’t win many games in the second round against the Warriors, but this should be a great learning experience for some of their younger players on the roster.
Next: Boston Celtics