Anyone who knows me knows this: I hate math. So you can imagine my dismay talking about where Portland might finish in the playoff standings out West once their regular season concludes on Wednesday against Denver.

My night got worse Tuesday after the Blazers/Thunder game as I was filing my postgame story for HOOPSWORLD and received the dreaded “scenario” sheet with the heading “Eight Possible Playoff Outcomes Involving 2-5 Seeds”.

It was complete with match-ups, number of scenarios and percentage of possibilities.

All I could think was: does anyone have an abacus?

Here’s how it will all shake down: Portland will get San Antonio in the first round, with the Blazers claiming home court advantage. And I have a feeling – from overhearing one Blazer after the game claim he “prefers the Spurs” – that the possible match-up favors Portland.

It’s old versus young; dynasty versus resurgence; broke down (Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan) against “Uprise”.

Let’s not even begin to breakdown the connections between San Antonio and Portland (see General Manager Kevin Pritchard and assistant coach Monty Williams for starters). At least not yet.

Here’s the deal. No one in the Blazers locker room  will openly (emphasis on “openly”) admit who they want in the first round. That tune will change win or lose after the Portland/Denver game on Wednesday when the standings should be set in stone.

So on Tuesday night, I tossed math right out the window. Chucked it hard. I settled instead for digging the fear card Portland played against the Thunder and will play again in the first round.

“We beat a lot of top teams here in our building so when they come here, they don't feel it's an easy game,” said LaMarcus Aldridge after the game.

Know this though: no team out West wants to draw Portland, contrary to what Nate McMillan may think - especially the Spurs.

Count on that.

pic via: yahoo

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