The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, having won seven of their last eight games. It's been a balanced contribution from both their veterans and young core. Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are showing why they are Portland's future backcourt. Even Deandre Ayton has been considerably better during this stretch, giving the Blazers a huge lift.
Portland's hot stretch can largely be attributed to their significantly improved team defense. They have surrendered an average of just 101.6 points in the past eight games. On the season, that would put them ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder (104.5) at No. 1 overall.
Portland is ranked 20th in points allowed at 114.6 points per game. Yet this recent stretch of play has shown why defense is going to be the Blazers' identity going forward in their rebuild.
It's no surprise, given that GM Joe Cronin has emphasized acquiring long and athletic players, with Portland having the tallest team in the NBA. Chauncey Billups has also been defensive-minded his entire career, as evidenced by his multiple All-Defensive selections and key role as a member of the "Bad Boy" Pistons.
We'd still love to see Henderson and Sharpe have starting spots and for Portland to prioritize their rebuild more, but that responsibility largely falls on Cronin to trade veterans like Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant.
The Blazers have found a working formula on the defensive end
In terms of simply winning games, we have to give Billups credit for deciding to send Sharpe to the bench. Portland has found a working formula in its jumbo starting lineup. Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Grant in the lineup have given teams trouble, as Portland has three lengthy and switchable players. That is essential in the modern NBA as teams hunt for mismatches now more than ever.
One thing the Blazers have done really well during their stretch is emphasizing transition defense. Since Sharpe has been relegated to a bench role, they've allowed the least amount of fastbreak points, a stat brought to light by Blazers analytics insider Tom Haberstroh.
blazers 6-1 in their last 7. tried to find the biggest change since chauncey billups moved shaedon sharpe out of the starting lineup 1/19.
— Mr. Statistician Face Man (@tomhaberstroh) February 2, 2025
found it. this is insane: pic.twitter.com/kWi4jkNa3j
Between Clingan and Robert Williams III protecting the rim and Avdija and Camara's length and versatility on the wings, the Blazers finally have found their team identity on the defensive end.
The Blazers will remain at a significant disadvantage until they land an All-Star-caliber player either internally through development or externally through another acquisition. Until then, they must compensate by becoming one of the league's better defensive teams, something they've shown is possible with this recent stretch of play.
Perhaps the Blazers can strive to be similar to Billups' Pistons team. The Pistons didn't have one true superstar but still got it done primarily due to their defense. This young Portland team still has a long way to go before that's even a realistic comparison. But it's something to strive for.