What to Expect in Blazers' Season-Opener Against Suns

The Portland Trail Blazers are set to open their regular season on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns at home in Portland. This is a significant moment for the franchise, as it's the beginning of a new campaign following a playoff appearance last season, with expectations that this team will be even better.

With three-time All-NBA guard Damian Lillard returning to the floor and the addition of Ja Morant, Portland has more offensive firepower than it did a season ago. And when factoring in the continued development of the younger players on the roster, there's reason to believe the Blazers could take another step forward this season.

Interestingly enough, the opening matchup comes against a team that will likely be in the same tier as Portland throughout the year. Both the Suns and Blazers are widely viewed as teams that could find themselves fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, with the play-in tournament being a realistic outcome for either club.

That's not to say either team couldn't exceed expectations and emerge as a legitimate top-six seed in the West. But given how competitive the conference is expected to be, finishing somewhere in the seventh through 10th range feels like a reasonable projection for both teams entering the season.

And that's what makes Wednesday's matchup so interesting.

For Portland, this season is supposed to be about taking another leap. The Blazers made the playoffs last season, but simply getting back to that stage shouldn't be the ultimate goal. With the new pieces on the roster and another year of development for the young core, this team should be looking to establish itself as a more consistent threat in the Western Conference.

That includes seeing how Morant fits into the offense, how Lillard performs after his extended absence and whether some of the younger players can continue improving. There's a lot of talent on this roster, but translating that talent into wins consistently will be the biggest challenge.

Of course, there's no guarantee that Portland will be better this season. The Western Conference is loaded with talented teams, and even a roster that improves on paper can struggle to climb the standings.

And while the first game of the season technically matters no more than the other 81 games on Portland's schedule, there's still something significant about getting off to a strong start.

A win over Phoenix wouldn't suddenly establish the Blazers as a top-six team in the conference, just as a loss wouldn't mean they're destined for the play-in tournament. There's simply too much basketball left to be played for any major conclusions to be drawn from one game.

But when considering where these two franchises stand entering the season, Wednesday's matchup will provide an early measuring stick for both.

If Portland can come out and look like the more complete team, especially with so many new pieces in the rotation, it would be an encouraging sign of what's to come. And even beyond the final score, seeing how the Blazers operate offensively and defensively against a team with similar postseason aspirations will be valuable.

Ultimately, the Blazers and Suns could find themselves battling for positioning in the Western Conference all season long. Wednesday's season opener won't determine where either team finishes, but it will be the first real opportunity to see how Portland stacks up against the competition it will likely be measured against throughout the year.