The Portland Trail Blazers are 50-28 on the season after a 2-1 week that included victories over the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans and a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Here's how the Blazers stack up in the various NBA power rankings following week 23 of the 2013-14 season. Last week, the Blazers ranked from No. 6 to No. 13. This week, Portland placed from No. 6 to No. 12, edging up in most of the various rankings.
Playoff forecasts are also included below.
No. 12 (Last week: 13): Marc Stein, ESPN.com
The Blazers have lost their last six trips to the first round, but that's a skid to worry about in 10 days. They've nursed LaMarcus Aldridge back to decent health, halted their recent slide and made it to 50 wins with four games to spare. All of which they would have gladly taken if offered back on Halloween.
No. 6 (Last week: 7): Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports
The West's fifth-seeded Blazers play host to sixth-seeded Golden State on Sunday. The Warriors lead the season series 2-1.
No. 12 (Last week: 11): Matt Dollinger, SI.com
The Blazers have won five of six to clinch their first playoff berth since 2011 and restore some faith after a dreadful March. Having LaMarcus Aldridge back to his dominant self certainly helps.
No. 9 (Last week: 10): John Schuhmann, NBA.com
Another loss to a good team (Phoenix) at home and more poor perimeter shooting nights are cause for concern, but the Blazers are in the playoffs and could be playing the Warriors for the 5 seed on Sunday. The Rockets and Clippers are two of the three teams that have been most efficient against the Portland defense, so they might not have a preference. Houston does have bigger health concerns.
No. 9 (Last week: 11): Matt Moore, CBSSports.com
Portland returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Which means we get playoff games in the Rose Garden. Awesome. (No, I will not call it the Moda Center.)
No. 7 (Last week: 7): Kurt Helin, ProBasketballTalk
Playing better since LaMarcus Aldridge's return (shocking!) they are just 1.5 games back of Golden State for the fifth playoff seed in the West - the two teams play Friday night in a showdown that could determine the slot. Five seed likely gets Rockets, six the Clippers. Both tough, but Houston is more vulnerable.
No. 7 (Last week: 6): Jason Patt, SB Nation
The Blazers are back in the postseason for the first time since 2011 and still have a chance at home-court advantage in the first round.
No. 8 (Last week: 8): USA Today Sports
Nicolas Batum, the do-everything small forward who fills in gaps for these overachievers.
No. 7 (Last week: No. 6): Hollinger Power Rankings
Hollinger Statistical Rankings...
- Offensive Efficiency: No. 6 (Last week: No. 6)
- Defensive Efficiency: No. 18 (Last week: No. 19)
- Rebound Rate: Tied-No. 6 (Last week: No. 7)
- Pace: No. 10 (Last week: No. 11)
- 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)
- 2.5 percent chance to make the Finals (Last week: 4.4 percent)
- 1.5 percent chance to win the title (Last week: 2.9 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)
- 3.7 percent chance to make the Finals (Last week: 5 percent)
- 2.1 percent chance to win the title (Last week: 3.1 percent)
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-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter