Golden State Warriors: Ranking the remaining NBA Playoffs opponents

By Tony Pesta | May 12, 2019

MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 8: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Portland Trail Blazers

To kick off this list is the Portland Trail Blazers. Led by the all-star backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Portland has impressed many fans of the NBA.

The show that Lillard put on in the First Round was enough to force his name into “best point guard in the league” conversations. He was an absolute assassin, averaging 33.0 points per game and hitting the series-clinching shot over Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Paul George.

However, things have changed for Lillard in Round Two. Playing against the Denver Nuggets, Lillard’s numbers have dipped a bit to 24.8 points per game as the weight of carrying the offense through Round One has taken a toll on him. Luckily, his star partner, McCollum, is helping mightly with 24.7 points of his own in this series.

Where Portland will be hurting the most is the loss of Jusuf Nurkic. The rising big man was having a career season, averaging 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game. Without him, this team loses a major contributor and is working overtime to make up the lack of inside production.

While Portland may be exceeding expectations by swiftly dismantling the Oklahoma City Thunder and forcing the Denver Nuggets to a decisive Game 7, the Blazers won’t have any answers for the golden boys.

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