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Column: The Blazers have a shot to stay No. 5 in the West

By Ben Arthur|

After last summer, many thought that the Portland Trail Blazers should kiss any hopes of going to the playoffs goodbye. They lost four of their five starters from a year ago in the off-season: Nicolas Batum was dealt to Charlotte, wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez signed lucrative deals with other teams. All-Star Forward LaMarcus Aldridge bought a one-way ticket to San Antonio in the July Free Agency period.

But with a five point win over the Oklahoma City Thunder last Wednesday, the Blazers have done the unlikely. They’ve proved those that doubted wrong as they clinched a playoff berth.