Head coach Mike Dunleavy Record 46–36 (.561) | Arena Rose Garden Arena | |
Place Division: 4th (Pacific)
Conference: 6th (Western) Playoff finish West First Round (eliminated 1–3) | ||
The 1997–98 season was the 28th season of the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Blazers signed free agent Brian Grant and fired head coach P.J. Carlesimo, who was replaced by Mike Dunleavy; Carlesimo was hired by the Golden State Warriors. Midway through the season, Kenny Anderson was traded along with Gary Trent and rookie Alvin Williams to the Toronto Raptors for Damon Stoudamire and Walt Williams.
The Blazers finished 46–36, fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference, making their sixteenth straight trip to the postseason and 21st in 22 years. For the second straight season, the Blazers were pitted against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, and the result was identical to that of the previous year, as Portland fell three games to one.
The Blazers also set an ignominious record during a game against the Indiana Pacers. The teams’ February 27, 1998, game ended with a Pacer win by the embarrassing score of 124–59, the only time in NBA history where a team has had their score doubled.
West First Round
(3) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (6) Portland Trail Blazers Last Playoff Meeting: 1997 Western Conference First Round (Los Angeles won 3-1)