And the hits just keep on rolling from the Blazers:
NATE MCMILLAN NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE
COACH OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL
Trail Blazers go 8-1 in April, Ride a Six-Game Streak into Playoffs
PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Nate McMillan was named the NBA's Western Conference Coach of the Month for the month of April, it was announced Friday by the NBA.
McMillan led the Trail Blazers to an 8-1 month, including wins at San Antonio , vs. the L.A. Lakers and vs. Denver . Portland won its last six games to secure home court advantage heading into its first-round playoff matchup with the Houston Rockets.
Despite being the NBA's second-youngest team and playing the youngest rotation, the Trail Blazers' 54-28 record this season is a franchise-best since 1999-2000, and stands as the sixth-best mark all-time.
The Trail Blazers finished with a 34-7 record on their home floor, including 3-0 in April.
This is the second time McMillan has received the honor as head coach of the Trail Blazers (December 2007), and the third time overall. McMillan is the fifth coach in Trail Blazers history to be recognized, joining Jack Ramsay, Mike Schuler, Rick Adelman (three times) and Mike Dunleavy (twice).
Boston's Doc Rivers earned the nod for Eastern Conference Coach of the Month.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)