The Portland Trail Blazers are on the rise in the Western Conference and currently own the league's longest active winning streak at nine games.

This run has catapulted the Blazers to the number three spot with a 40-26 record and should see them secure another playoff berth.

In their last two meetings with the Golden State Warriors, Portland came out on top on both occasions, with their most recent success coming on Friday night in a 125-108 win.

Having been eliminated from the playoffs by the Dubs in the last two seasons, the Oregon-based outfit are proving that they can put up a better fight against the defending champions if they come up against each other again this year.

If the league was to end today, they would be on course for a third consecutive matchup in the second round and the Blazers would be keen to give a better account of themselves after being swept last season.

They look much better this time around and that's something that Draymond Green has noticed in their recent clashes.

“They’re always a threat. They got two of the best guards in the league (Lillard and McCllum),” Green said to reporters, per Warriors Wire.

“So when you got two players like they got, always a threat. … So they’ve improved for sure. But none the less, the key is always going to be to try to contain Dame and C.J. If you can do that, you can win. If you can’t do that, you got a shot at winning but it ain’t that good.”

Lillard is playing arguably the best basketball of his career and has been on a real tear during their winning run since the All-Star break.

Over the nine games, he's averaged over 30 points, along with four rebounds and five assists.

After overcoming the Warriors, the point guard said: "We feel like we're the real deal."

With one of the best backcourts in the NBA, they most certainly are.

McCollum has played his part too with 21.8 points, 3.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game this year.

As a team, they've made huge strides defensively - an area they've struggled in and been criticised for in recent years.

With largely the same players, the Blazers are a different team this year and have a different focus.

Head coach Terry Stotts must also take his fair share of credit as he's enhancing his reputation as one of the best head coaches in the league and should be a contender for the Coach of the Year award.

They'll look to take their winning streak into double figures as they entertain the Miami Heat on Monday night.

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