The Portland Trail Blazers steadied the ship on Tuesday with a statement 123-103 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, who, despite being shorthanded, still represent a matchup nightmare for every opponent they face. Not that the Trail Blazers were rattled, and by game's end it had become obvious that, when their top players are on their game, this team can beat any in the league.
Trail Blazers have key players at or approaching peak of their powers
As has already been the case with some of this team's biggest wins to begin the season, Deni Avidja was instrumental in getting the Trail Blazers over the line. At this rate, he will be an All-Star again this season, and Head Coach Micah Nori using him as a point-forward when the roster is full of capable point guards has been one of his smartest moves since taking over.
Having a two-way forward who is one of the best offensive bigs in the game is the foundation on which this roster is built, but it certainly helps that Damian Lillard has not looked this good since he was last with the franchise. There is a freedom and happiness to how he is playing, and with his body holding up and the Trail Blazers having the perfect forwards to complement the all-time great, he can do what he does best to help the team win games.
Toumani Camara and Sidy Cissoko are the tandem that do all of the dirty work for others to thrive, and both are already having career years. As long as that continues, and with Camara being one of the best on-ball defenders in the world, the Trail Blazers are going to have a chance to win. They combined for 32 points in the win over the Thunder, with this being one of Sissoko's more complete offensive games, despite the rough 3-of-10 shooting from deep.
We have already given Jrue Holiday his flowers, while this group can absorb Donovan Clingan having a less impactful night, as he did against the Thunder. Despite being limited to seven points and being disrupted by the size they possess, he still grabbed an important 13 boards and finished the game with a +16.
Trail Blazers have no clear weakness for opponents to target
As long as the Trail Blazers can remain healthy (they have continued winning without Ja Morant and Vit Krejci), they don't have any areas to be exploited. Avidja, Lillard and their combination of forwards will get them points, and they currently have the fourth-best offense in the league (118.5). On the other end, they have the size and athleticism to disrupt, with Holiday the cherry on top, as they sit just outside the top 10 in that area (111.5).
Avdija is the X-factor, and even Chris Youngblood and Robert Williams III add genuine depth to their rotation. Anything they get from Scoot Henderson at this point is a bonus, but he will always have his moments. The Portland Trail Blazers are built to win now, and their roster is peaking together at the perfect moment.
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