Portland Trail Blazers: 3 questions as they inch closer towards the playoffs

Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
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Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers Carmelo Anthony and Damian Lillard (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Can Lillard carry the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs? 

Lillard is a bonafide superstar as we have witnessed on several occasions. He is more than capable of putting this Blazers team on his back with his will to win and bulldog mentality. He doesn’t shy away from the bright lights and lives for these clutch moments.

Lillard is arguably the best clutch player in the league right now and can be dangerous for any opponent they face in the playoffs. He is a matchup nightmare and can wreck a coach’s game plan.

Let’s not forget the fireworks he provided us in past playoff performances. During the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, Lillard came up huge making the series-clinching 3-pointer as time expired against the Houston Rockets. And let us flash back to last year’s first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder when he hit another series-clinching 3-pointer on Paul George from what seemed like 40 feet.

Lillard’s confidence in these high leverage situations is priceless, as we know these playoff games often go to the wire. Having a player who can thrive in clutch situations gives teams a definite advantage over their competition.