2021-2022 MAVS NEWS: 4th in West | WCF loss [ARCHIVED]

[Hogmelon]

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, my friends, but the Mavs may be in for one helluva tough dogfight tomorrow night!

From February 24 through March 9, Portland went on a 6-game losing streak.  They broke that losing streak on March 12 at home versus the Washington Wizards, who were on the second night of a ROAD/ROAD back-to-back (in the middle of a 4-game West Coast road trip).

Then ...

Portland lost their next four games [March 14-20], before beating the powerhouse Pistons on March 21 in Detroit.

Then ...

From March 23 through April 5, Portland lost eight consecutive games (their current active streak).

So ... 

The Trail Blazers have lost 8 in a row, 12 out of their last 13, and 18 out of their last 20.

Portland plays their fourth consecutive road game in New Orleans tonight.

Portland then plays the second game of a ROAD/ROAD back-to-back in Dallas tomorrow night.  That will be the final game of Portland's current 5-game road trip.

Furthermore ...

Check out the following OFFICIAL injury report:

Portland Trail Blazers:

Bledsoe, Eric Out Injury/Illness - Left Achilles; tendinopathy

Hart, Josh Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; patellar tendinopathy

Ingles, Joe Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; recovery

Lillard, Damian Out Injury/Illness - Core; muscle recovery

Little, Nassir Out Injury/Illness - Left Shoulder; recovery

Nurkic, Jusuf Out Injury/Illness - Left Foot; plantar fasciitis

Simons, Anfernee Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; patellar tendinopathy

Watford, Trendon Out Injury/Illness - Left Knee; bone contusion

Williams, Brandon Available Injury/Illness - Left Quad; contusion

Winslow, Justise Out Injury/Illness - Left Calf; inflammation  

(How does an NBA team list nine players as "OUT"?)

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Portland is 7 games behind San Antonio (so they might not have too much incentive to win), and they are 7½ games ahead of Houston (so they might not even be gleeful tankers).

In conclusion ...

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!