2018 NBA Playoffs: First-round schedule, initial thoughts on each series

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4 of 9

Portland Trail Blazers (3) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (6)

Season Series: 2-2

Game 1: Sat. April 14 – New Orleans at Portland, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Game 2: Tue. April 17 – New Orleans at Portland, 10:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3: Thu. April 19 – Portland at New Orleans, 9 p.m., NBA TV
Game 4: Sat. April 21 – Portland at New Orleans, 5 p.m., TNT
*Game 5: Tue. April 24 – New Orleans at Portland, TBD
*Game 6: Thu. April 26 – Portland at New Orleans, TBD
*Game 7: Sat. April 28 – New Orleans at Portland,TNT

If you’re looking for a good, competitive series in the Western Conference first-round playoff bracket, this is probably the matchup for you. The Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans aren’t much different.

They both have one really underrated star and nice complimentary pieces. It wouldn’t surprise me to see either one of these teams come out on top of this series. The Damian Lillard playoff show is always impressive, and a return to the playoffs for Anthony Davis shouldn’t be shrugged off.

This is going to be an absolute fight.