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NBA: 10 teams looking to make a playoff push in the second half of 2017-18

By FanSided User

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks drives past David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City.The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 10: Michael Beasley #8 of the New York Knicks drives past David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on January 10, 2018 in New York City.The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 122-119 in double overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 2: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 2: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Evan Turner #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 2, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

Record:

22-20 (5th in the West)

The Case:

The Portland Trail Blazers are currently 5th in the West but only 1.5 games ahead of the 9th seed. Portland has found success on the defensive end this year. They rank 7th in defensive rating and only 23rd in offensive rating.

This is the complete opposite of what has come to be expected from the Blazers. They still have the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum but outside of those two there has been little offensive production.

Terry Stotts’ scheme has proven to be effective and they have had strong finishes to their last two seasons. If the defensive continues to stop teams at this rate, Lillard and McCollum should be able to do enough to get the Blazers into the playoffs once again.

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