After a surprising season in 2015-16, everyone thought Portland was going to take off. Behind the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, they were set to contend with the Western Conference’s elite.
Instead, they disappointed out of the gate and skinned into the playoffs. They then met the buzzsaw of the Golden State Warriors and were swept.
After the midseason acquisition of Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers have a perfect third wheel alongside the star-studded backcourt. Maybe, his production and increased help from the role players will propel the Blazers to new heights.
Since the Memphis Grizzlies destroyed them in the 2015 playoffs, the series has been kind of even – with Portland winning four of their seven matchups since then.