The Portland Trail Blazers are 53-28 on the season after a 3-0 week that included victories over the Sacramento Kings, Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.
Here's how the Blazers stack up in the various NBA power rankings following week 24 of the 2013-14 season. Last week, the Blazers ranked from No. 6 to No. 12. This week, Portland placed from No. 5 to No. 10, rising in most of the various rankings. Note: a number of rankings did not update this week, as it's the final week of the 2013-14 regular season.
Playoff forecasts are also included below.
No. 7 (Last week: 12): Marc Stein, ESPN.com
Going 8-1 since getting LaMarcus Aldridge back is forcing Houston to work to clinch the No. 4 seed. I also suspect the Blazers -- who haven't won a playoff series, believe it or not, since 1999-2000 -- want the Rockets in Round 1 as much as the Rockets want them. Given the alternatives.
No. 5 (Last week: 12): Matt Dollinger, SI.com
What a difference a year makes. The Blazers ran out of steam and lost their final 13 games of 2012-13, but Portland isn't running out of steam this year, winning eight of its last nine and enduring a 47-point performance from Stephen Curry on Sunday.
No. 6 (Last week: 9): John Schuhmann, NBA.com
The Blazers scored at least 110 points in three of their four meetings with the Rockets, but won only one of them, because their defense isn't very good. They are 8-1 since LaMarcus Aldridge's return and got some high-scoring playoff prep with Sunday's wild OT win over the Warriors. But that was just their second win (in 15 tries) over a top-nine Western Conference team since Jan. 18.
No. 10 (Last week: 9): Matt Moore, CBSSports.com
As long as they're at home, and they don't have to defend anyone, and everyone's healthy ... this team could be dangerous. Bringing new meaning to "qualified contender."
No. 6 (Last week: 7): Kurt Helin, ProBasketballTalk
Portland is 8-1 since LaMarcus Aldridge returned and the big win at home over Golden State Sunday (maybe the most entertaining game of the season) shows they will not go quietly in the first round. However, their defense is going to have to be improved and consistent to slow down the Rockets offense.
No. 6 (Last week: 7): Jason Patt, SB Nation
The Blazers have made a hard charge since LaMarcus Aldridge returned from injury, and the No. 4 seed remains in play.
No. 7 (Last week: No. 7): Hollinger Power Rankings
Hollinger Statistical Rankings...
- Offensive Efficiency: No. 6 (Last week: No. 6)
- Defensive Efficiency: No. 18 (Last week: No. 18)
- Rebound Rate: No. 7 (Last week: Tied-No. 6)
- Pace: No. 10 (Last week: No. 10)
- Projected record: 53-29, No. 5 seed (Last week: 53-29, No. 5)
- 100 percent chance to make the playoffs (Last week: 99.9 percent)
- 2.9 percent chance to make the Finals (Last week: 2.5 percent)
- 1.9 percent chance to win the title (Last week: 1.5 percent)
Basketball-Reference Projections...
- Projected record: 53-29, No. 5 seed (Last week: 53-29, No. 5)
- 100 percent chance to make the playoffs (Last week: 100 percent)
- 4.7 percent chance to make the Finals (Last week: 3.7 percent)
- 3.1 percent chance to win the title (Last week: 2.1 percent)
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-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter