The Brooklyn Nets play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at Barclay's Center on Thursday.

The Trail Blazers (34-23) looked like a fluke last season when they finished with the third-best record in the west but this year proves that people are overlooking this talented team. Portland currently owns the fourth-best record in the west right now, as they've developed into one of the most dangerous teams in the league. It's the guard duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum that has really put fear into their opponents. It's not just them though, as the addition of Jusuf Nurkic has given them a much-needed post presence as well. He's developed into one of the best big men in the league this season and having that sort of weapon paired with these guards is a beautiful sight for Portland fans. The one thing the Trail Blazers needs to look out for is their Western Conference foes, as they are just four games up on the Sacramento Kings in ninth. That's how close it is right now and a lengthy losing streak could spell disaster no matter how dangerous this core is.

The Nets (30-29) won their final game headed into the all-star break but the break couldn't have come at a better time. In fact, Brooklyn lost five of their previous six games before that win against the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers, as they've struggled on the defensive end recently. The good news is that Caris LeVert (ankle) returned just before the break, as he's arguably this team's best player when fully healthy. Getting him up to speed will be critical in terms of playoff positioning, as that six-game slide has them fighting for their lives. In fact, the Nets are just 2.5 games up on the Miami Heat in ninth and just three games up on the Orlando Magic in 10th. This is a club who has surprised up to this point but if these teams catch them, all that early-season success will be forgotten just as quickly.

These teams split their two-game season series last year, with both games being decided by four points or fewer. Prior to that, Portland won seven of their previous eight games over Brooklyn.