The Portland Trail Blazers were understandably frustrated that they didn’t finish 4-1 after finishing 2-3 on a five-game trip.
The Blazers gave up an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter and lost to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night. Portland lost to Detroit on Monday after giving up a 22-point lead.
Following the loss against the Mavericks, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters, “We had a couple games that we could have won and didn’t.”
It was disappointing, really. Nonetheless, it was a sign of improvement that the Blazers, who started the trip 3–13 on the road, were able to win all five games.
Billups remarked, “I thought we played well.” Our excursion was enjoyable, in my opinion.
Overall, a number of things went smoothly for the Blazers (13–24):
DEFENSIVE EXPERIENCE
After recording a defensive rating of 124.4 in December, Billups stated before to the trip that he hoped to see defensive improvement.
During the trip, the Blazers’ defensive rating fell to 113.6. The mission has been completed. In a way.
In the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) blocks a shot by Brandon Boston (11) of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP) APAP
Playing the New Orleans Pelicans without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram helped the Blazers. Dallas also played without Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
SIMONS, ANFERNEE
Simons’ dismal season debut was perplexing in a number of ways. In recent weeks, particularly during the trip, that has altered.
On Thursday, January 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, left, shoots while LeBron James, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo) APAP
Simons shot 51.6% from the field and 48% from three-point range, averaging 25.2 points and 6.2 assists. He scored 47 points in two games against Dallas and Philadelphia prior to the trip, marking the start of his better play.
His success on the road should have given people hope that he is fully recovered and ready to make a difference.
There have been rumors that the Blazers might eventually move Simons and assign Scoot Henderson to the point guard position. However, there is too big a gap between them to make such a move feasible.
THE EXPANDED ROLE OF DENI AVDIJA
Jerami Grant’s facial injury on December 28 forced Avdija into the starting lineup.
On Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Milwaukee, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks watches Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game. (Photo by AP/Morry Gash) APAP
He had not started seven straight games since the first two weeks of the season, although he recovered from a bad start long ago.
Avdija did a little bit of everything on the trip and often came up big in crucial situations. He shot 51.5% from the field and averaged 17.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Although he had a good three-point shooting percentage of 35.7%, he committed 2.8 turnovers, including seven on the night at Milwaukee. But in the victory over the Bucks, he also finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds.
When Grant is cleared to play, Avdija will probably go back to the bench. However, Avdija keeps demonstrating his versatility and worth as an asset.
Sharp Shines of Shaedon
Sharpe performs something really athletic almost every night. However, he struggles with long-range shooting and frequently makes juvenile blunders.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) makes a basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (2). (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP) APAP
This trip, not so much.
Sharpe averaged 3.4 assists, 19.6 points, and 5.2 rebounds. He made 40.6% of his three-point attempts and 46.3% of his field goals.
Billups stated throughout the trip that Shae is performing excellently offensively. He’s taking the appropriate shots. He should always be attacking, in my opinion.
Sharpe’s incredible agility and explosiveness drive his daring style of basketball play. Once he develops a high degree of consistency, particularly while shooting long range, he has the potential to become a star.
Before the trip, he started to perform better in every aspect. It was encouraging to see him maintain that pattern while driving.
A THREE-POINT VIEW
The Blazers are ranked 26th in the NBA with a 34% shooting percentage from beyond the arc.
During the trip, they shot 39.6%, which was third in the NBA during that stretch.
Until the Blazers are regularly a danger from the outside, they will never win on a regular basis. Shooting that well while traveling for five nights is encouraging, even though the sample size is limited.
Also, Portland s true-shooting percentage jumped from 55.2% during the season (25th) to 59.4% (seventh) during the trip.
Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers gets ready to shoot during the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)Getty Pictures
NOW FOR SOME NEGATIVES
Two problem areas continued to be so defensive rebounding and turnovers.
The Blazers’ 66.2% defensive rebounding percentage during the trip ranked 28th. They rank 29th for the season at 67%.
During the trip, the Blazers allowed 16.8 second-chance points per game (28th).
The Pistons scored 21 in a 118-115 win. Dallas had 23 in its 117-111 victory.
The Blazers rank 28th in turnover percentage (16.5%) for the season. They posted the same rate (27th) during the trip.
Improvement in these areas might have led to a 5-0 trip. But, Billups said, learning to become more efficient in close games is part of being a young team.
Learning how to play down the stretch of games, he said. What s important. How to take care of the ball. How to get the right shots. Getting the ball in the right guy s hands. We can preach it until they re blue in the face, but until you re actually in the hit, in the moment, is when you actually learn it.
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— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
