The Portland Trail Blazers have managed to turn what was considered a lost year into a suddenly very promising campaign. Before their recent losing skid, the team was holding steady with a winning record and was firmly situated in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Blazers have been moving gradually up the power rankings and have posted wins this season against the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets and the San Antonio Spurs.
Many attribute Portland’s success to rookie point guard Damian Lillard, who was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for both November and December and who has put the Blazers on the map with his versatile skill set and quiet confidence on the court. He has been a leader for the team in his first professional season, a welcome asset in a packed division.
The Blazers are playing at a level not seen in the Rose City since Brandon Roy left two seasons ago, and though Lillard has undoubtedly helped, credit is also due to new head coach Terry Stotts and the improved play of Nicolas Batum, J.J. Hickson and the rest of the Blazer squad. Batum has added some new offensive weapons to his already-stellar defensive game, and Hickson, who came to Portland after being waived by the Sacramento Kings last year, is third in the league in double-doubles. Lillard and forward LaMarcus Aldridge are both in the top 20 in points scored this season, with Lillard also in the top 15 in assists per game.
Though there is plenty of basketball left to play in 2012–13, the Northwest Division currently accounts for three of the eight playoff spots in the West, with the Oklahoma City Thunder (last season’s finals runner-up) leading the way. The Minnesota Timberwolves, underperforming without star power forward and Oregon product Kevin Love in the lineup since Jan. 3, join the Blazers just outside of post season contention.
Coming off six losses in a row, the Blazers are looking to bounce back and continue defying expectations. Portland has two games against the Los Angeles Clippers scheduled this weekend, first at the Rose Garden on Saturday and then in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on Sunday. The Clippers came to town back in November and routed Portland by 13, with Chris Paul racking up 21 points in the win. Lillard will be looking to improve on his disappointing performance in that game and demonstrate that he can compete against the NBA’s best, and Aldridge, who has yet to hear if he will make the all-star roster again this year as a reserve, should have his work cut out for him against Western Conference starter Blake Griffin.
The Blazers find themselves in a bit of slump at the moment, but a win against the Clippers would be a big step in the right direction. Tipoff on Saturday is scheduled for 7 p.m., with Sunday’s game set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Scores and stats can be found at nba.com/blazers.