The Portland Trail Blazers are now 2-1 in preseason play after defeating Ratiopharm Ulm, a professional team based in Germany, 111-100. Portland entered the game as a heavy favorite, and the talent discrepancy was on full display in the first half with a score of 61-45. But two of the most significant weaknesses for the Blazers last season -- turnovers and inefficient three-point shooting -- carried over, allowing Ratiopharm Ulm to get back into the game.
While the Blazers only shot 20.8 percent from beyond the arc, they still had an efficient team field goal percentage of 52.4. Much of that was due to their size mismatch and paint dominance. They will have that advantage in several games throughout the season, but it should especially be the case at the start.
Blazers face undersized opponents to start season
Here are the first three games on the Blazers' 2024-25 schedule:
- vs. Golden State Warriors (Wed Oct 23, 7:00 PM PT)
- vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Fri Oct 25, 7:00 PM PT)
- vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Sun Oct 27, 3:00 PM PT)
The Warriors' options for center are 6-foot-9 Kevon Looney, 6-foot-8 Trayce Jackson-Davis, 6-foot-6 Draymond Green, or rookie Quinten Post, who was the No. 52 overall pick and isn't expected to play a significant role this season.
The Pelicans' center position is somehow even more of a mess and arguably the weakest in the entire league, which makes them a viable potential trade partner for the Blazers down the road for either Deandre Ayton or Robert Williams III.
6-foot-7, 206-pound Herb Jones is rumored to be the Pelicans' center in place of double-double machine Jonas Valanciunas, who is now with the Washington Wizards. Starting Jones at the center makes sense in particular matchups as it allows their five most talented players to be on the court simultaneously and provides them with defensive switchability.
How this benefits the Blazers
However, teams like the Blazers, which have multiple starting caliber centers, will exploit that weakness, just as they did against Ratiopharm Ulm. Portland won the rebounding battle 48 to 31, with 15 coming on the offensive glass. They also had five blocks compared to just one.
Teams that lack rim protection will play to Portland's roster strengths this season. The Blazers finished dead last in three-point percentage last season and are at their best offensively when they are attacking the paint; this applies not only to their four centers but also to Scoot Henderson, Deni Avdija, and Shaedon Sharpe (when healthy).
Avdija excels at getting in the paint and finishing with physicality, a skillset the Blazers haven't had the luxury of having from a wing in quite some time. Scoot needs to improve his finishing heading into his second year, but he also thrives when he gets to the rim and can decide whether to go up or kick it out to a teammate when the help defense arrives.
Scoot played exceptionally well this game, finishing with 23 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals on 10 of 14 shooting from the field. And most importantly, zero turnovers. He should specifically benefit from the schedule to start the season, especially in an increased role as Sharpe recovers.
The Blazers have one more preseason game against the Utah Jazz on Friday, October 18 at 7:00 PM PT. Then, they'll have the opportunity to utilize their size and ability to attack the paint to pull off a few upsets against teams that are much more talented on paper but don't match up well.