Storyline: Having predicted the Blazers’ success in the regular season, here’s my game-by-game prediction of the First Round clash with the Los Angeles Clippers. (Find Lynn’s blog here.)
Having done so well analyzing and numerically predicting Blazers results over the last two seasons, I will now set my sights on the Blazers chances for the 2016 NBA Playoffs. At first numerical glance it looks like I will end up having to use the industry’s standard, predictable, and redundant formulas that I find so annoying.
There is definitely not the numerical magic that I saw when looking ahead at the beginning of the season–when I was the only national sports prognosticator to predict 44-52 wins. It looks like the young Blazers will have to make their own magic to get far in the playoffs. Well, they have up until now.
Courtesy: sportsoutwest.com
This series features the “feel good” Blazers young team vs. arguably the third most dysfunctional team in the West. Wannabe stoic Terry Stotts goes against the emotionally erratic and oft immature Doc. The Clippers have had numerous player and organizational issues, but are still a formidable opponent. A characteristic of dysfunctional families is a powerful survival instinct, and the Clippers will hang in there out of borderline and arrogant pride–and to keep their whiny and complaining persona intact.
Game 1 at Clippers 4/17/16. This is a tough numerological call. It looks like Dame will be up and CJ down for this one. The play of Gerald Henderson figures prominently in the results. Numerical odds say the Clippers, but the young Blazers have beaten the odds all year. Having also bucked the odds all year, I will say (Win).
Game 2 at Clippers 4/20/16. This is another tough close call with no real numerical edge using my system. CJ should pick up and get back in the game. The play of Aminu is crucial to this game. I’ll pull a beat writers cliché and say that they need to win one of these games. Numbers aside my heart wants to say they will. But I will go with (Loss).
Game 3 at Blazers 4/23/16. This game is the numerical tell all. A win here puts them smack in the race! Can they make their playoff dream come true as they did for the season? The play of Mason Plumlee and AC are a key to this one along with the usual Dame and CJ. (Loss)
Courtesy: NBA.com
Game 4 at Blazers 4/25/16. This game is the best numerical chance for a solid home win. If Mo Harkless shows up, it will be a key to this game. Mason and Aminu give steady play. This is a likely night for Dame to light up the score board. (Win)
Game 5 at Clippers 4/27/16. This game could very well be the series turning point. It is numerically the most likely road win for the Blazers. If Dame is on it might be his best night of the series (if not season). Also important to this game is that of Aminu. He also could grow up professionally on this night and be a key factor. Mason P is solid, as usual, and Ed Davis shines.(Win)
Game 6 at Blazers 4/29/16. This game favors the home team and, if the Blazers are within range of the Clippers, this game could be the one that decides the series winner. CJ can stand up and stand out now. Allen Crabbe has a chance to define his season and future. (Win) I’m afraid my heart is ruling over numbers again, and I may be stretching it so say the Blazers take the series here!!
Game 7 at Clippers 5/1/16. If the Blazers have gotten this far, it could be a heart breaker. A disappointing night for DL and possible injury or some bad luck hits the away team.
