Trail Blazers vs. Nets Preview & Prediction

The Portland Trail Blazers have already clinched the Northwest Division, but they're looking to move up from the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. The Brooklyn Nets currently hold the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they're fighting to hold onto that playoff spot.

Projected Starting Lineups

Portland Trail Blazers (50-26)

G Damian Lillard – 20.9 ppg, 6.3 apg

G Arron Afflalo – 11.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg

F Nicolas Batum – 9.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg

F LaMarcus Aldridge – 23.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg

C Robin Lopez– 9.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg

Brooklyn Nets (35-41)

G Deron Williams –13.2 ppg, 6.4 apg

G Markel Brown – 4.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg

F Joe Johnson – 14.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg

F Thaddeus Young – 14.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg

C Brook Lopez – 16.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg

What to watch for:

Can Robin Lopez stop Brook Lopez?

Brook Lopez is playing as well as anyone in the league right now having won the Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice in a row, but if anyone can slow him down, it's his brother. Robin Lopez is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA, and he has more experience defending Brook than anyone. The Nets have relied on Brook's play to carry them down the stretch, and they need him to have another good game if they're going to win.

How hard will Portland play?

The Blazers have already secured a top-four seed in the playoffs, so they may take their foot off the gas a little bit to make sure they're healthy for the postseason. Brooklyn is fighting for their playoff lives, and if they're more focused than Portland, there's a good chance they'll grab the victory.

Prediction: Blazers win 98-93

This game will be close throughout as both teams are trying to improve their playoff positioning, but the Blazers have so much more talent that they'll be able to make the plays down the stretch to pull this one out.