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NBA Playoffs: 5 reasons Portland Trail Blazers can win NBA Finals

ByKevin Martuscello|
Mar 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after making a basket against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Trail Blazers 117-115. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after making a basket against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Trail Blazers 117-115. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 14, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts yells to his team in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts yells to his team in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The 5 definitive reasons why the Portland Trail Blazers can win the NBA Finals.

The 2016 Portland Trail Blazers are the NBA’s forgotten team. The Blazers finished the regular season with a 44-38 record, good enough for fifth (yes, fifth!) in the Western Conference. One would think that after losing four starters in the off-season (Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Robin Lopez) and realistic expectations set at draft lottery positioning, Rip City would be hailed as one of the most intriguing stories of the entire season. Nope.

Between the record-breaking Golden State Warriors, the San Antonio Spurs home winning streak, Russell Westbrook’s triple doubles, Blake Griffin’s 1-2 combination and Lebron’s Twitter activity, no one outside of Portlandia is talking about the Blazers.

No matter. The Portland Trail Blazers exceeded expectations all year long and here are the five reasons they will continue to do so.

Next: 5. No pressure

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