Blazer fans, it is time for a little perspective.  We're in great shape considering that we have the 2nd most difficult strength of schedule in this league thus far.  Check out the overall winning percentage of teams played against for the top 10 teams, and the rest of the Western Conference teams in the playoff discussion:

1. Washington - 53.4%

2. Portland - 53.2%

3. Indiana - 53.0%

4. Chicago - 51.8%

5. Toronto - 51.4%

6. Sacramento - 51.3%

7. Charlotte - 51.2%

8. Phoenix - 51.0%

9. New Orleans - 50.9%

10. Denver - 50.9%

17. LAL - 49.7%

21. Utah - 48.9%

24. Houston - 48.7%

27. Dallas - 47.9%

30. San Antonio - 47.6%

Observations:

Comparing this with the playoff picture we have now, there's a few things we can assume unless the trends completely change:

1) New Orleans, Denver, and LA are likely going to finish near the top.

2) If Portland keeps focused and doesn't have a young team letdown, has the potential to soar into the top 4 or 5 in the West.

3) Predicting which of these 9 teams won't make the playoffs is difficult, but statistically it seems most likely to be either Dallas, Houston, or Utah.  Of these three teams, only Houston has played more away games than home games at 16 home and 23 away.

My prediction for the Western Playoff picture as of now is this:

1. LAL

2. New Orleans

3. Denver

4. San Antonio

5. Portland

6. Phoenix

7. Houston

8. Dallas

And Utah missed the playoffs.