The NBA Playoffs are just four games away for the red-hot Portland Trail Blazers. Since the start of an extended six-game road trip at the end of last month, coach Terry Stotts’ squad has amassed a superb 7-1 record, gained control of the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Lakers and climbed above the play-in fray.
The Blazers’ turnaround should not come as a surprise. Deadline addition Norman Powell has bolstered Portland’s starting lineup with competent two-way play, CJ McCollum’s return has added another offensive threat and Jusuf Nurkic has returned to his defensive stalwart form.