After sinking all the way to No. 24 in NBA.com’s league-wide power rankings, the Portland Trail Blazers are on the upward climb again.
NBA.com’s John Schuhmann moved Portland up four spots to No. 20 in
the latest rankings. The leap was propelled by a 4-1 stretch over seven days that saw the Blazers notch wins over the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs.
All four of Portland’s wins over that stretch came during back-to-backs, and three of those wins came against top offenses. Schuhmann noted Portland’s defense has strangely played better on the disadvantageous second day of back-to-backs and against better competition this season.
The 4-1 stretch was five games in seven days, and three of the opponents rank in the top six offensively. But the Blazers’ defense has been much better in the second games of their seven back-to-backs (109.3 points allowed per 100 possessions) than it’s been otherwise (117.9 allowed per 100), and it’s been better in 15 games against the league’s top-10 offenses (114.6) than it’s been in 21 games against the bottom 20 (117.4).
Schuhmann also highlighted the Blazers’ leap in 3-point attempts this season and how All-Star candidate Deni Avdija has played a huge role in generating those opportunities.
The Blazers have seen the league’s fourth biggest jump in 3-point rate, from 41.8% of their shots (17th highest) last season to 45.5% (sixth) this season. They’ve taken 48% of their shots from beyond the arc over this 4-1 stretch, making at least five more 3s than their opponent in each of the four wins. Deni Avdija leads the league with 135 total assists on 3-pointers (23 more than he had all of last season) and sealed their win over the Spurs on Saturday with a step-back of his own.
The Blazers are back in action tonight against the Utah Jazz at the Moda Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Pacific. Then the Blazers play three more home games that include two matchups with the Houston Rockets and a Sunday afternoon showdown with the New York Knicks. It’s all part of a stretch where Portland plays 8 of 10 at home.
