I was the only member of this sites staff to predict the Trail Blazers would make the playoffs. Now, Portland is 8-2, the NBAs third-best record behind only the Spurs and Pacers.
Time to gloat?
Not quite.
The Trail Blazers started 20-15 last season, heavily relying on their starting lineup. At that point of the season, Portlands starters played 72 percent of the teams minutes, tops in the league. That heavy load proved too taxing, as the Trail Blazers faded to a 33-49 finish.
A year later, the starters have changed, but Portland coach Terry Stotts is using the same strategy. Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez the Trail Blazers starters in all 10 games have played 72 percent of the teams minutes, again No. 1 in the NBA.
