The Portland Trail Blazers are now 8-15 following their lackluster 141-99 loss to the Utah Jazz. Unfortunately, Portland is no stranger to blowout losses this season. They've already suffered eight losses by 20 or more points, including three over 30 (Golden State, Memphis, and now Utah). That has skewed their point differential so far this season, as the Blazers have the third-worst differential in the league at -9.6, ahead of only Washington and New Orleans.
Their point differential suggests that the Blazers were bound to regress from their hot stretch in mid-November, where they went 4-2, including a three-game winning streak. That's been the case lately, as Portland has lost five of their last six games. They've also lost three consecutive games, surrendering a total of 405 points during that span.
Portland has been missing Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams III, and Matisse Thybulle on the defensive end. Hopefully, they will all return somewhat soon. But Portland's x-factor determining whether or not they win games comes on the offensive end.
The Blazers are over a fourth of the way into the 2024-25 season, a large enough sample size to start seeing significant trends emerging. A key variable has become apparent when looking at their eight losses compared to their 15 wins—three-point shooting, or a lack thereof.
The Trail Blazers lose when they can't hit threes
Here are the Blazers' three-point stats in their 15 losses:
Opponent | 3FGM | 3FGA | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|
Warriors | 8 | 34 | 23.5 |
Pelicans | 13 | 37 | 35.1 |
Kings | 4 | 22 | 18.2 |
Thunder | 15 | 35 | 42.9 |
Suns | 14 | 43 | 32.6 |
Spurs | 9 | 32 | 28.1 |
Timberwolves | 6 | 25 | 24.0 |
Grizzlies | 4 | 42 | 9.5 |
Thunder | 15 | 38 | 39.5 |
Rockets | 11 | 43 | 25.6 |
Grizzlies | 8 | 46 | 17.4 |
Pacers | 16 | 35 | 45.7 |
Mavericks | 18 | 31 | 58.1 |
Clippers | 10 | 29 | 34.5 |
Jazz | 14 | 47 | 29.8 |
For reference, here is how they shot in their eight wins:
Opponent | 3FGM | 3FGA | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|
Pelicans | 14 | 35 | 40.0 |
Clippers | 14 | 33 | 42.4 |
Pelicans | 10 | 29 | 34.5 |
Timberwolves | 18 | 32 | 56.3 |
Timberwolves | 9 | 25 | 36.0 |
Hawks | 14 | 38 | 36.8 |
Rockets | 18 | 44 | 40.9 |
Kings | 11 | 37 | 29.7 |
In losses, the Blazers are shooting 165 of 539 (30.6 percent). They have been much more efficient in wins, connecting on 108 of 273 (39.6 percent). Of course, a few outlier games have been sprinkled in, such as the loss to Dallas, where both teams shot over 50 percent from three for the first time this season. But overall, it's a troubling pattern for the Blazers.
On the season, Portland is sixth worst in the league from beyond the arc at 33.6 percent. They finished dead last in that category last season at 34.5 percent, so it's an issue that seems here to stay for the rest of the season, barring a significant trade deadline move.
Hopefully, they can slightly improve with their current roster. Deni Avdija has shot the ball much better lately, but Jerami Grant, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe still are having down seasons in that department at 35.8, 33.1, and 29.4 percent, respectively.