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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 X-Factors That Could Decide First Round Series

By Kenneth Teape

Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; A detailed view of basketballs in front of the NBA Playoffs logo at the FedexForum before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; A detailed view of basketballs in front of the NBA Playoffs logo at the FedexForum before the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Playoffs: 10 X-Factors That Could Decide First Round Series
Nov 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 118-115 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Allen Crabbe

Damian Lillard said that the Portland Trail Blazers will defeat the Golden State Warriors in their first-round series in six games. Whether it was tongue in cheek or not, the Blazers will have their hands full. The Warriors were the best team in the NBA in the regular season as they dominated on both ends of the court.

The Blazers will find it difficult to slow down the Warriors, so they will need players to step up offensively if they want to keep pace. The biggest advantage the Blazers have on the Warriors is on the inside with Jusuf Nurkic. But Nurkic’s status is unknown as he was injured just a few weeks ago. As a result, the Blazers will need other players to step up.

One of those players is Allen Crabbe. The backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum garner all of the attention, but Crabbe has been a solid contributor throughout the regular season.

Crabbe finished the season third in three-point shooting, making 44.4 percent of his shots from deep. Portland will need a lot of scoring to keep up with the high-powered Warriors and Crabbe is capable of providing a scoring punch off the bench.

Crabbe missed the final three games of the regular season with a foot injury. He is expected to play in the first round against the Warriors, which is good news for the Blazers; they need all hands on deck to hang with Golden State.