NBA: Five Things We Learned From Opening Night

October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates with guard Stephen Curry (30) against the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) takes a jump shot Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) takes a jump shot Portland Trail Blazers in the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The Blazers Are Real…So Are The Jazz

I still don’t know where each of these teams will fall in the West standings, but the fact that the Utah Jazz battled the Portland Trail Blazers all the way to the end, sans Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward, should indicate positivity for them moving forward.

It’s definitely a good sign.

At the same time, the Blazers are pretty insane themselves. If nothing else, they’re going to be one of the higher scoring teams in the NBA again. And Damian Lillard…well he’s something else.

Lillard finished with 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists. His running mate, C.J. McCollum, added 25 points.

Both of these teams are trending up, and should be penciled into the playoff race.