Strong words from Oakland’s very own.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been scorching hot towards the end of the season. After trading for Jusef Nurkic from the Denver Nuggets, they proceeded to chase down Denver for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Before the team’s Wednesday night game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Lillard joined the CSN Northwest’s pregame show. He was asked if he thought the Blazers would beat the Warriors in either six or seven games, and Lillard went with six.
Damian Lillard says @trailblazers in 6 games? #NBAplayoffs pic.twitter.com/saNtJvrdWA
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) April 13, 2017
We’re not sure if Lillard was joking or not, but he certainly knows what his team is up against. The Warriors were a perfect 4-0 against the Blazers this year, although it should be noted that was before Portland traded for star center Jusef Nurkic.
This will be the second year in a row the Warriors and Blazers will meet in the postseason. After upsetting the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, Portland lost to the Warriors in five games in the second round. The series was actually closer than the statistics show. The Blazers won a game at home, and took the Warriors to overtime in game 4.
The NBA has already released the full first round schedule, with Game 1 tipping off Sunday at 12:30 pm on ABC.