Bill Walton famously said, in a post-game interview after clinching the Blazers' first playoff appearance vs. Golden State in 1977, that in the playoffs it's all about who is the "healthiest and the hottest". The Blazers are 12-3 in their last 15 games, and should win their last two. Only Houston has been hotter down the stretch, and if the breaks fall the Blazers way, they can avoid the Rockets until the WCF in the best case scenario. Yes, this team would be all that much better with a healthy Nurk, but Kanter/Collins/Leonard are the horses they need to ride, and together they can get the job done. I've seen Kanter's defensive game ratchet up dramatically after Jusif went down, he knows the stakes and has been putting in work. I like the Blazers' first-round chances against any of Jazz/Clippers/Spurs, and a 2nd round fight with the Nuggets looks VERY winnable. Then you've got whoever is left standing after a Rockets/Warriors bloodfued, and Portland would have a puncher's chance against either. I have not been this optimistic going into a playoff run in years, even with Nurk out.
