FanPost

How Many Games will the Blazers Win? w/Poll

How many wins can the Blazers win to finish out the regular season? To help you in your deliberations, here's the schedule for the 13 games remaining:

Portland Trailblazers: Games Remaining in the 2010-2011 Regular Season
March Opponent Record
Last 10
Current Playoff Standing in the West
Sun 20 @ LA L@kers 49-20 9-1 2
Tue 22 vs Washington 16-51
1-9 n/a
Fri 25 vs San Antonio 56-13 7-3 1
Sun 27 @ Oklahoma City 46-23
9-1 4
Mon 28 @ San Antonio 56-13 7-3 1
Wed 30 @ New Orleans 40-31 5-5 7
April
Fri 01 vs Oklahoma City 46-23 9-1 4
Sun 03 vs Dallas 48-21 5-5 3
Tue 05 vs Golden State 30-39 4-6 12 (might be out of the race by then)
Thu 07 @ Utah 36-33 4-6 9
Fri 08 vs LA Leakers 49-20 9-1 2
Tue 12 vs Memphis 38-32 5-5 8
Wed 13 @ Golden State 30-39 4-6 12

The Blazers sit at 40-29, with 7 home games and 6 road games left. Their 3 back-to-backs include two to finish out the season.

The Blazers magic number to guarantee a spot in the playoffs is 10; only 9 if one of those wins is against Utah. Realistically, if they win seven of the remaining games, leaving the team at 47-35, it is difficult to see the team missing the playoffs.

But the Blazers remaining strength of schedule is NOT realistic. It's more like Unreal. Outside of Washington at home, every opponent resides in the tough Western Conference. Nine of the Blazers last 13 games are against Western Conference playoff teams (based on current position). And seven (yes, SEVEN) are against teams positioned for home court advantage in the playoffs. "The NBA," as they say, "where Amazing Happens!"

Look at the current opponent winning percentage for each game left. The Blazers strength of schedule coming down the stretch weighs in at a terrifying .677. That might be daunting if Gerald Wallace's steely demeanor and Barry White vocals weren't present to quell The Fear.

The Blazers have been playing great. This wild ride to the end of the season will test just how great these 2011-2012 Blazers can be.