3 reasons Portland Trail Blazers will make the 2019 NBA Playoffs

1. The Trail Blazers tend to exceed expectations

The expectations are low for Rip City. With the Blazers striking out on acquiring another big name over the summer, many believe that the rest of the West passed them up. The oddsmakers expect Portland to win 42 games, per Odds Shark, the 10th-highest win total in the conference. However, if precedent is any indicator, it’s probably best to bet the over.

In the summer of 2015, the Blazers lost every member of their starting lineup expect Lillard. For that reason, Las Vegas believed they would win 26 or 27 games in 2015-16. Instead, they reeled off 44 wins and advanced to the second round of the playoffs.

The Blazers did underperform their 46.5 expected win total in 2016-17. However, they still found a way to shock the world by going 18-8 after the All-Star break and qualifying for the final playoff spot with a 41-41 record. In the summer 2017, Vegas expected Portland to match that win total. The Blazers managed to exceed it, winning 49 games. As a result, they clinched the Northwest Division and their highest playoff seed since 1999-00.

The Blazers’ roster outside of Lillard and McCollum has never been flashy. Therefore, it’s easy to overlook them in favor of teams with bigger names. However, this team has proven time and again over the past three years that it should not to be counted out.

The Western Conference will definitely be more daunting this season. However, with a more dynamic offense, an All-NBA star and the constant desire to prove doubters wrong, the Portland Trail Blazers have what it takes to make the 2019 NBA Playoffs.