Damian Lillard’s series-clinching buzzer beater from near the halfcourt logo sent the Blazers into the second round of the playoffs, awaiting the winner of the Spurs-Nuggets series. After being doubted based on recent playoff failures, Portland looks like a confident bunch that is determined to make a deep postseason run.

Led by Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the backcourt, the Blazers can score with the best of them on any given night, making them a dangerous matchup for anyone in the West. After a dominant five-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul believes this team could make a run to the Western Conference Finals to take on Golden State or Houston.

“A confidence booster like this can go a long way for this team,” Pierce said. “They’re going to see San Antonio or Denver and they’ll probably be the favorite against either one of those (teams). And then a matchup between Houston or Golden State, which would be a great shootout between Dame and Harden or Curry. They are very dangerous. I could see them in the conference finals.”