Up to 4th in NBA.com Power Rankings

[KingSpeed]

Record: 40-26
Pace: 99.0 (18) OffRtg: 105.9 (15) DefRtg: 104.1 (7) NetRtg: +1.8 (11)

The Blazers' nine-game winning streak now includes two wins over the Warriors in which Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined to average 65.5 points on an effective field goal percentage of 57 percent. As a unit, the Portland starting lineup has scored 114 points per 100 possessions over the course of the streak, but between the two wins over the champs were seven games in which the Blazers held every opponent under a point per possession, and bench minutes have been critical. In fact, only the Toronto bench has been better since the start of the Blazers' winning streak and Portland has outscored its opponents by 18 points per 100 possessions with Zach Collins on the floor over the nine games. The rookie matched his career high (12 points) on 5-for-6 shooting against the Warriors on Friday.

http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2017-18-week-22#/

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If the Raptors can be ahead of the Rockets in the power rankings, I wonder why the Blazers can't be ahead of the Warriors...

 

[KingSpeed]

If the Raptors can be ahead of the Rockets in the power rankings, I wonder why the Blazers can't be ahead of the Warriors...

We're still 10.5 games behind GS. Toronto is only 3 games back of Houston with time to close the gap.

 

[Boob-No-More]

We're still 10.5 games behind GS. Toronto is only 3 games back of Houston with time to close the gap.

And, TOR just beat HOU head-to-head. Most of these subjective power rankings are weighted heavily on recent play.

BNM

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We're still 10.5 games behind GS. Toronto is only 3 games back of Houston with time to close the gap.

It's not a prediction of end-of-season standings. The Lakers are 8 games behind the Cavs, but he has them 2 spots ahead of Cleveland. The same logic that supports that ranking would support the Blazers over the Warriors as well, especially with Curry still missing games.

 

[KingSpeed]

And, TOR just beat HOU head-to-head. Most of these subjective power rankings are weighted heavily on recent play.

BNM

Right I'm just saying that a W over Houston PLUS being close in standings gets them to #1. We beat GS (twice) but they are still way ahead of us in the standings (for now).

 

[PtldPlatypus]

And, TOR just beat HOU head-to-head. Most of these subjective power rankings are weighted heavily on recent play.

BNM

I'm aware of that. The Blazers also happen to have just beaten the Warriors head-to-head, hence the comparison of situations vis-a-vis their respective rankings.

 

[Natebishop3]

4th on ESPN.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ngs-our-expert-panel-unveils-rankings-week-22

With long winning streaks for the Rockets and Pelicans both falling on Friday, Portland's nine-game run is now the longest active streak in the NBA. Perhaps more impressive is that two of the Warriors' past three losses have come at the hands of the Blazers. -- Michael Schwartz

 

[handiman]

I assume it was before Wes tore his achilles that we were last "ranked" this high?

 

[Jon]

If the Raptors can be ahead of the Rockets in the power rankings, I wonder why the Blazers can't be ahead of the Warriors...

we are on SI's PR.

 

[KingSpeed]

I assume it was before Wes tore his achilles that we were last "ranked" this high?

I don't think so. You have to go back to fall 2013 when we last looked this good and had a league best record of 24-5.