Mar
16
Playoff Picture: March 16th
By sarahhecht Posted in: playoffs
What a game! Last night was huge for the Trail Blazers and a fantastic way to start the three-game homestand. Protecting home court is key in this close playoff race.
The Rose Garden was rocking with playoff-like excitement. I can tell the Rose City faithful are ready to do their part come post-season.
The win over the Dallas Mavericks pushed the Trail Blazers forward into 6th in the Western Conference and dropped the Mavs to 3rd. These changes would leave us matched-up in the first round if the playoffs started today. After last night, I'm comfortable with that battle, it would be an extremely entertaining series.
Again, tonight is a night that could see some movement in the standings for the Trail Blazers. If the New Orleans Hornets can toppled the Phoenix Suns they’ll bump us back down into 7th.
Last night's scores and effects:
The
Dallas Mavericks were defeated by the 
Portland Trail Blazers 101-104 in Portland. The win for the Trail Blazers caused both teams to move in the Western Conference. Portland moved up to 6th and Dallas moved down to 3rd. This keeps the two still matched-up in the playoffs. The Trail Blazers had one of their most complete games last night with LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy leading the way.
Tonight’s games with Western Conference potential playoff teams:
Denver Nuggets (40-27) vs. 
Atlanta Hawks (39-28) Denver and Atlanta are both in 5th in their respective Conferences. A win or loss for Denver will keep them in 5th. The Trail Blazers and Hornets are currently two games behind them and a loss will close the gap. Especially if the Hornets beat the Phoenix Suns tonight.
Oklahoma City Thunder (43-23) vs. 
Miami Heat (46-21) A win for the Thunder keeps them in 4th in the West, as does a loss. The trick with a loss is how close Denver in the 5th seed gets. A Thunder loss and a Nuggets win brings the two teams within three and a half games. Bringing Oklahoma City into the ever-changing jumble in the West could make things even more interesting and complicated than they are now.
Phoenix Suns (33-32) vs. 
New Orleans Hornets (39-30) Both of these teams need a win. With the Trail Blazers win over the Mavericks last night caused the Hornets to fall to the 7th seed. A win tonight would push them back up into 6th. A win by the Suns will keep them neck-and-neck with the Jazz and close to a playoff spot. A Phoenix win and a Utah loss would move the Suns into 9th and put them two games behind Memphis and the final playoff seed.
Charlotte Bobcats (28-38) vs. 
Houston Rockets (34-34) This is another night with the 9th, 10th and 11th seeds in the West all playing. They’re all within one game and wins and losses tonight could jumble them up. Houston needs a win tonight to stay in the thick of the mess.
Minnesota Timberwolves (17-51) vs. 
Utah Jazz (35-33) Utah needs a win tonight to stay ahead of Phoenix and Houston who are hot on their tails. A loss could see the Jazz bumped from the 9th spot.
Here are the playoff match-ups as of today.
Which games will you be watching tonight?