BLAZERS HOPE FOR MORE POST-ALL-STAR REVIVALS
The Blazers enjoyed a post-All-Star break revivals the past two seasons and hope for more of the same. Late-season rallies appear to be a trending theme in the Western Conference playoff race. Portland resumes on Friday in Utah. “I mean, I think that’s in the back of our minds. We know that we’re usually a better team in the second half of the season,” Portland guard Damian Lillard said.
The Trail Blazers have enjoyed post-All-Star break revivals the past two seasons.
Those late-season rallies will no doubt be an ongoing theme in the congested Western Conference playoff race once Portland resumes play on Friday in Utah.
“I mean, I think that’s in the back of our minds. We know that we’re usually a better team in the second half of the season,” Portland guard Damian Lillard said. “We can’t just go into it saying, ‘All right, we’re always good at this part of the season.’ I think mentally we have to understand how close of a race it is and that we’ve got to be sharp all the way through.”
Portland is 32-26 at the break, tied for sixth in the West, which is better off than it was last season at the same point.
But the Blazers are one of five teams in the West with 26 losses. The Warriors and Houston Rockets sit comfortably atop the standings with the next eight teams jostling for position.
The Blazers headed into the All-Star Game with a 123-117 vic- tory over Golden State, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Warriors. Lillard had 44 points, his third straight game with 39 or more and the best scoring stretch of his career. His 133 points over the last three games is the best such run in franchise history.