Computer Says Blazers Will Make Playoffs

The big question at this point is whether or not the Blazers will reach the playoffs. Basketball-reference.com provides some insight.

Portland is 29-22 and eighth in the Western Conference, 1 1/2 games ahead of both Memphis and Houston. But how does their schedule stack up the rest of the way? How many wins will they finish the season with?

According to the Playoff Probabilities Report, there’s a 76.3 percent chance the Blazers will make the playoffs. Basketball-Reference takes each team’s current record and plays 1,000 simulations of the remainder of the season; they update it each day.

On average, the Blazers finish with 47.4 wins and finish a couple games ahead of ninth-place Houston. Best-case scenario: The Blazers finish 56-26. Worst case: 39-43. For teams on the bubble in the West, here is the percentage of times they qualify for the playoffs: San Antonio 88.4; Phoenix 90.7; Oklahoma City 80.9; Portland 76.3; Houston 40.5; Memphis 23.9; New Orleans 2.6.

So there. You can breathe easy, Blazer Fan.