Blazers clinch No. 7
Portland secured the Western Conference No. 7 seed by beating Phoenix — a result that converted a play‑in test into a guaranteed first‑round berth. (cbssports.com) The win has been turned into a highlight package that emphasizes Portland’s late‑season execution in a 114–110 game referenced across recap videos. (youtube.com)
Portland moved out of the play-in scramble on April 14, beating Phoenix 114-110 to lock up the Western Conference’s No. 7 seed. (apnews.com) Deni Avdija scored 41 points for the Trail Blazers, including a go-ahead three-point play with 16.1 seconds left after Portland erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit in Phoenix. (apnews.com) The result changed the bracket immediately: CBS Sports and the National Basketball Association playoff page both list Portland as the West No. 7 seed, with a first-round series against the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs. (cbssports.com) (nba.com) That is the difference the play-in creates. The No. 7 and No. 8 teams meet once for the No. 7 seed, while the loser gets one more game for the No. 8 spot; ESPN’s standings page now marks Portland with the “won play-in” clinch tag. (espn.com) Portland entered the postseason path as the West’s No. 8 team at 42-40, while Phoenix finished 45-37 and had the higher seed before Tuesday night’s game. (espn.com) The win also flipped the pressure onto Phoenix. CBS Sports lists the Suns in Friday’s final West play-in game against the winner of the No. 9 versus No. 10 matchup, with the last playoff berth still at stake. (cbssports.com) Portland’s reward is immediate. CBS Sports lists Game 1 of Spurs-Trail Blazers for Sunday, April 19, the playoff debut for San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama. (cbssports.com) For the Trail Blazers, Tuesday’s comeback turned one night in Phoenix into a guaranteed series, not another elimination test. (apnews.com)
