With injuries taking out their regular guard rotation and a myriad of close losses not helping, the Portland Trail Blazers have just been trying to stay afloat lately. That reality was reflected in the latest
power rankings from NBA.com’s John Schuhmann and The Athletic’s Law Murray (subscription required) , who both took note of Portland’s injury issues while placing the Blazers at No. 20 on their respective lists.
NOTE: Both of these lists dropped on Monday morning before the Blazers’ comfortable 115-103 over the Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks later that night.
In Murray’s countdown, he did the festive exercise of highlighting one thing each team is thankful for a month into the NBA season. For the Blazers, he spotlighted the offensive rebounding powers of second-year center Donovan Clingan.
One of the few advantages Portland still enjoys is the sheer presence of Clingan on the offensive glass. Only Steven Adams and Mitchell Robinson average more offensive rebounds per game to start this season than Clingan (4.8 per game).
To Murray’s point, Clingan has been a monster lately. Over the last six games, the 7-foot-2 big man has averaged 14.3 points, 12.2 rebounds (including 5.5 on the offensive end), 3 assists and 2 blocks per outing. That stretch included a 17-point, 21-rebound performance against the Chicago Bulls last Wednesday in which Clingan corralled 10 offensive boards alone. Those numbers are also weighed down by Portland’s 122-95 stinker of a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday when Clingan played less than 20 minutes. Clingan’s prowess on the offensive glass has been the great equalizer this season for Portland’s poor 3-point shooting (No. 27 in the NBA in 3-point percentage), helping the Blazers paper over the misses by getting more cracks at the basket.
After beginning the season 4-2, the Blazers have gone 4-8 since to currently hold an 8-10 record. But that breezy win in Milwaukee on Monday, plus a rousing come-from-behind win against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, secured a 2-1 road trip for the Blazers. Now they head home with some momentum to face the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday with a chance to clinch a spot in the NBA Cup knockout rounds.
