Path Blazers nonetheless eyeing play-in berth: ‘We’re going for it’

THE Portland Path Blazers I’ll begin their post-string break calendar Thursday by attaining the purpose all the time the purpose.

“We’re going for that,” hold the Blazers Henderson scoot mentioned. “Every time we climb on this court docket, we play to win … We play arduous and no matter occurs, occurs.”

The current occasions embrace the group successful 10 video games out of 11 to attract 2.5 video games from tenth place on February 6 and the final place of the west convention.

Then, the Blazers of thirteenth place (23-32) misplaced three consecutive video games resulting in the break of the celebs to fall 5 video games behind the Kings of Sacramento (28-27) and Golden State Warriors (28-27), who have been tied for the ninth.

However this drop didn’t alleviate the group’s hopes. Blazers ahead Deni Avdija mentioned he had taken time through the break to empty his head in preparation for a playoff race.

“I’m a little bit on the seaside, I relaxed my thoughts and I ready myself to kill the second half of the season,” mentioned Avdija after Wednesday coaching. “I’ve the impression that it is necessary. We’re lucky to play the sport, and we’re all there. We’re getting ready. We do our greatest and sit up for going again to the sphere. »»

The Blazers have little margin of error to maneuver ahead. One other defeats, related to the Warriors and Kings, has even struck a brief sequence of victories, will in all probability bury the Blazers.

Within the present state of issues, the Blazers even going 17-10 the remainder of the trail would power the kings or the soldiers to complete and 11-16 for Portland to complete tenth.

This assumes that eleventh place Phoenix (26-28) and twelfth place San Antonio (23-29) additionally vacillate.

If something, the successful part has strengthened the boldness of the group he can compete with anybody.

“I believe we noticed what we have been in a position to do,” mentioned Avdija. “I believe that gave us quite a lot of hope and positivity, and we’ve got quite a lot of expertise right here.”

Expertise that is able to make a lift.

“Everybody buys,” mentioned Henderson.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups mentioned he would method the method in small doses.

“I’ve 5 video games at a time, the kind of factor,” he mentioned. “It’s tough to look to the longer term within the league. Every group is so good.

Billups is sensible to maintain all of it in perspective.

The Blazers welcome Los Angeles Lakers (32-20) at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Lakers gained 12 video games out of 15 earlier than the break and added Luka Doncic to the deadline for commerce.

Wednesday night, the Lakers welcome Charlotte (13-39), who performs the Blazers on Saturday.

Then, Portland begins a visit of seven video games on Monday which incorporates stops in Boston (39-16), Cleveland (44-10) and Oklahoma Metropolis (44-10).

“I simply hold our guys targeted on the following opponent,” mentioned Billups. “If we go down later, we are going to merely search for our eyes and see the place we’re.”