The Portland Trail Blazers are entering the most important stretch of their season

The Portland Trail Blazers have had their injury issues this season but they are in touch with the playoff seeds. They now enter their most important stretch of the season.

As any Portland Trail Blazers fan is aware, they have had a season of injuries they would like to forget. However, now that the playoffs are next month, it is time to forget about the past and focus on what is coming up.

The Trail Blazers effectively have their playoff destiny in their own hands. Yes, they are outside the eighth seed and yes, they are still dealing with injuries. However, with the return of Damian Lillard and Zach Collins slated for a March return, there is a potential for optimism.

After starting the stretch well with a win against the Washington Wizards, the Trail Blazers play one away game against the Phoenix Suns. From there the Trail Blazers play six straight home games. These home games will determine whether they make it into the postseason or not.

Two of the games are against teams they are competing with for the eighth seed. They play the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a back to back after they have traveled home from the Suns game.

Win this and they are moving in the right direction. After a two-day break, the Trail Blazers play the Suns again before taking on the Memphis Grizzlies a couple of days later. This gives the Trail Blazers a chance to take a game off the team in the eighth seed.

Of the last three games, the Trail Blazers need to take two out of three against any of the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Dallas Mavericks. If they can go 5-1 or even 6-0 at home, then they will still be in the hunt for playoff action as they will be close to .500 on the season.