The Portland Trail Blazers are for real, and they reinforced that notion with a gritty 113-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Although they defeated the San Antonio Spurs at the beginning of the month, the Blazers’ 10-game winning streak has been riddled with wins over unproven squads like the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
Naturally, many have been quick to dispel the Blazers’ early success as the product of a soft schedule. However, thanks to Andrew Bogut and the Warriors, a feisty Blazers team is now firmly on the radar as a legitimate contender in a loaded Western Conference.
It’s time to cast aside all doubt. Terry Stotts‘ team is playing with purpose and they’re doing so on both ends of the floor. At 12-2, this team is undeniably for real, and a gutsy win over the Warriors proved as much.
-Alon Fishman(NBA Junior Correspondent)
