The Portland Trail Blazers will face the New Orleans Pelicans in round one
By Ty Delbridge
Taking a look at the Blazers
The Blazers finished the season 49-33 and secured the third seed in the playoffs. Portland had a rough end to the season but finished it with a win over a hot team. The Blazers did not want to go into the playoffs on a five-game losing streak.
This is an excellent first round matchup for the Blazers because the Pelicans are not at full strength with DeMarcus Cousins out. Besides Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, the Pelicans don’t have any other elite players on their roster.
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The Blazers can throw multiple guys at Davis down low to try and slow him down and can tire him out when he has to defend Jusuf Nurkic in the paint or Aminu out on the wing. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum should have no problem going against the Pelicans backcourt players.
This is a better matchup for the Blazers instead of having to play the Thunder, Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves. This will also be the first time the Blazers have ever played the Pelicans in a playoff series.
The Blazers have faced the Pelicans two times without Cousins, one game without Davis and one game where both guys played but Davis got hurt in the first five minute and didn’t play the rest of the game.
In four games against the Pelicans this season, the Blazers had six guys who averaged double-digit scoring against the Pelicans. The Blazers will need scoring from other guys besides McCollum, Nurkic or Lillard. Against the Pelicans this season, Lillard is averaging 26.5 points per game, McCollum 17.5 points per game and Nurkic,15.0 points.
Guys like Maurice Harkless, Shabazz Napier, and Evan Turner will be critical in this series. Zach Collins, Ed Davis, Meyers Leonard and Caleb Swanigan will all get their chance going against Davis. The Blazers big man depth allows them to throw different looks at Davis so he never gets too comfortable.
The Blazers star power and depth should be enough for them to win a first-round series against the Pelicans. I think the Blazers can win in five or six games and move onto the second round.