For the next few days, the FPC NBA staff will preview each NBA playoff series. Next up, Ben Pfeifer previews the Trail Blazers vs Pelicans series.
The 3-6 matchup in the west looks to be one of the tightest and most entertaining in the NBA. Here, we have two teams that before the All-Star break were firmly in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. The Blazers sat at 27-24 and the Pelicans sat 28-23. After the All-Star break, both of these teams proved that they were not like the rest in the West. Both teams went on big win streaks. Portland won 13 straight and the Pelicans ended the year on five-game streaks. Portland established themselves as the clear third best team in the West. Although New Orleans is the sixth seed, they ranked as high as fourth and could easily be higher.
The teams are both led by MVP candidates. Damian Lillard continued his stellar play this season, averaging 27 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds on the season. Lillard has been clutch all year as always. Post All-Star break, Anthony Davis may have been the best player in the NBA. In 24 games, he averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and two steals. He led the Pelicans to a 17-7 record over that span.
Both teams have two very good secondary scorers in Nikola Mirotic and C.J. McCollum. During the start of the season, Mirotic looked like a star with the Bulls. At one point, he led them to an eight-game win streak. After DeMarcus Cousins went down for the season, everyone ruled the Pelicans out of the playoffs. They had other things in mind. They traded for Nikola Mirotic, who proved to be a very reliable second option for them. He averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. For C.J. McCollum, he was still a reliable and prolific scorer. McCollum averaged 21.4 points, 3.4 assists, and four rebounds. He and Lillard make for a backcourt that not many can contain.
Keys To The Series
Jusuf Nurkic
This series, Anthony Davis is going to dominate. He is the best player in this series, and could single-handedly carry the Pelicans to a victory over Portland. Someone on the Blazers needs to step up and contain him; that man is Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic is a big and physical defender. He is very competitive, tough, and a good rebounder. Nurkic ranks 12th in the NBA in defensive box plus-minus (2.8), ninth in defensive win shares (3.9), and seventh in defensive rating (101.5). He may be able to defend Davis down low but he will struggle to contain him on the break, off of the dribble and on the perimeter. Nurkic cannot come close to matching Davis. Let’s be real: nobody in the NBA can truly stop AD. All Portland can hope for is to contain him.
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
Playoff Rajon Rondo
At this point in the his career, Rajon Rondo is nothing special. Sure, he passes well, but he is a ball stopper on offense. He doesn’t shoot, he doesn’t drive to the basket, and he doesn’t play defense. Rondo averaged 8.3 points and 8.2 assists this year. The Pelicans are probably better off playing Darius Miller or E’Twaun Moore. So, why is Rondo a key to the series? Well, we all know what happens when Rondo gets into the playoffs.
Last season, the eighth seeded Bulls came into the playoffs as heavy underdogs to the Celtics. After two games, they led 2-0 and were in control of the series. All of this was because of Rajon Rondo. Rondo averaged 11.5 points, 10 boards, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals with an 8.5 plus-minus (!!!). He looked like he went back in time seven years. Uncharacteristically, he was playing defense and attacking the basket. Unfortunately for the Bulls, Rondo went down with an injury after game two and the Bulls lost the series 4-2. If the Pelicans want to keep up with Lillard and McCollum offensively, Rondo has to turn his play up to another level.
Defending Dame and C.J.
Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum form what may be the best offensive backcourt in the NBA. The Pelicans absolutely must figure out a way to contain the duo to some extent. Jrue Holiday is a solid defender at the point guard position; he ranked fifth in the NBA in contested three point shots per game with 4.3 and 10th in the league in deflections per game with 3.1. E’Twaun Moore is a solid defender but nothing special. Like I mentioned earlier, Rondo is a liability on defense. They will need to find someone else to leave open to focus more on the dynamic duo.
The primary candidate is Evan Turner. Although his season was better, he is not a three point shooter by any means (31.8%). Unfortunately, Portland is filled with good to great shooters, including Al-Farouq Aminu, Pat Connaughton, Shabazz Napier, Meyers Leonard, and Maurice Harkless if he returns. Alvin Gentry will need to be on his game, drawing up a defensive gameplan to stop Portland’s high powered offense.
Prediction
Anthony Davis is the best player in this series. He is going to average at least 25 points and at least 10 rebounds per came. However, Portland is the better team top to bottom. Lillard and McCollum will get buckets and they are littered with great wing players. Ed Davis and Maurice Harkless are two of the best bench players in this league. Lastly, as we all know, playoff Lillard is a different animal. Blazers win in six.
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
Quick Film Room Review of NFL Week 3--Dolphins soar, Jets grounded & Chargers still undercoachedby LandryFootball.com on September 25, 2023 at 1:40 pm
We give you a Film Room Review on all the NFL games from Sunday, breaking […]
-
Oregon interrupts the Colorado Circus act & the culpable mediaby LandryFootball.com on September 24, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Colorado hype train is silenced, Land Kiffin continues to come up […]
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 303: Ambiguous Situations in Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on August 29, 2023 at 2:47 pm
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saintsby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-25 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason opener.by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Preseason, Daemon Hunt, injury Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Mattersby Charlie Saunier on September 24, 2023 at 5:01 am
ROP Special Commentary: Representation Matters Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karlby Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/15 - Eagles Survive Vikings; Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 2:09 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles win over the Vikings and preview Week 2. […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - 9-25 - Israel Drinks & Drives while Colby hates Stricklandby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Portland Trail Blazers Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 9-22 - Colby’s back for the Title…But why?by Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:30 pm
-
Ep. 279: Wilmington Head Basketball Coach Dan Burkeby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
-
Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Steelers at Raiders - Eagles at Bucs - Rams at Bengalsby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Phoenix Suns Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Back To Back Events Just Too Much... Let's Enjoy All Inby Full Press Coverage on September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Andy McNamara as they discuss […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]