Worst first-round opponent for each NBA Western Conference playoff team

Los Angeles Lakers: Portland Trail Blazers

The New Orleans Pelicans are extremely talented. A majority of their rotation, however, has yet to experience a single postseason game. The same inexperience applies also to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have participated in the last six postseasons, including a run to the Western Conference Finals last season.

Damian Lillard has long been one of the league’s most feared scorers and LA has the right to grow weary of how to check him without Avery Bradley. Remember, Lillard dropped 48 with seven triples in a win at Staples earlier this season.

There’s no telling how much rust either will have to shake off, but there’s no denying the boost the return of both Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic provide Portland’s frontcourt.

All that being said, the Blazers never really had anyone capable of guarding LeBron James and their best option, Trevor Ariza, didn’t make the trip down. Anthony Davis went for 32.0 points per game on 66.9 percent shooting in their three matchups.

This has little to do with the growing belief among certain media members that Portland has any chance at upsetting the Lakers should they sneak into the NBA playoffs. It’s simply an acknowledgment of the various matchups LA could wind up in and the sparkling clarity of which would be more favorable, if not beneficial, to the west’s No. 1 seed.