2018 NBA Playoffs Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans, SWOT Analysis & Prediction

X-Factor:

Portland Trail Blazers - Jusuf Nurkic

Jusuf Nurkic

This might sound tiringly repetitive but Portland's good defense depends a lot on their wing rotation and centers. Whether it's switches or rotations, Nurkic when in the right mindset, can wreck havoc. The Blazers make him guard the relatively immobile big on their opponent's roster. It's going to be difficult for him, matchup-wise, against the Pelicans but he can play a huge role if he makes use of that mismatch on the offensive end as well.

New Orleans Pelicans - Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo

Is Playoff Rondo a real thing?

Well, it's time the 2008 Champion show that it is. After dropping off since his Celtics' days, his career has seen some sort of a revival the last two season with the Chicago Bulls and now the Pelicans. He's might be a defensive liability for his size but he can more than make for it with his high IQ by getting into the passing lanes and forcing fastbreak points in the paint, something the Pelicans lead the league in.