The Portland Trail Blazers Did The Most Obvious Tanking Move Ever Last Night

Joshua Gateley. Getty Images.

The Portland Trail Blazers are horrible. They're 12-31 and have the 5th worst record in the league. That's important to note, because at the 5th worst record in the league, you have a 10.5% chance for the #1 pick, but you also have a 55.6% chance of picking between #6-#9 and a 44.3% chance of picking in the top 5.

Detroit is historically bad having a 28-game losing streak this year already and they're 4-39. Portland isn't going to catch them. Washington (7-35), San Antonio (8-35), and Charlotte (10-31) are all sinking to the bottom faster than the Trail Blazers and their goal is likely to have a top three worst record. Because that would boost their chances at a top 5 pick to 67% with a 14% shot at the #1 pick.

This isn't new for Portland. As a guy who bets on the NBA every night, they've been doing this for weeks. I called it out on January 1st after Head Coach Chauncey Billups played their star player, Jerami Grant, who they just gave a 5-year $160 million dollar contract to this off-season, a then season low 25 minutes in what was a close enough game in the 4th Quarter vs. a conference opponent in Phoenix.

But tonight takes the cake. Again, THIS TEAM IS TRYING TO LOSE. Think about that when you see this.

Portland is up by 1 points with 15 seconds left. Chauncey Billups is arguing that he called timeout when Malcolm Brogdon got trapped. He was behind the Referee that he is frustrated with as they didn't give him the timeout. So instead of living with a turnover, with a 1-point lead and 15 seconds left, Billups gets not one, but TWO technical fouls and gets thrown out of the game. Again, PORTLAND WAS WINNING THE GAME. They obviously went on to lose by two points.

This is legitimately insane. Look at this game play-by-play.

HOW IS THIS NOT BLATANT TANKING?! Portland is filing an appeal that will do nothing. 

Maybe get an apology of out of the league at best. But I know what they're doing. I'm onto them. This is tanking and it is in it's finest form. Kudos Blazers. You suck really good.