Portland Trail Blazers Face Flaws Down the Stretch

The Portland Trail Blazers have strengths and weaknesses to work with as they push towards the playoffs and the NBA Finals, explains Zach Kram of the Ringer. Though Kram says the Blazers have less than a one percent chance of making the Finals, he points out that Portland’s pick-and-roll offense is a particular strength that is hard for other teams to defend, but their weakness is pick-and-roll defense.

Pick-and-roll ball handlers have finished 21.2 percent of offensive possessions against the Blazers this season—the highest rate against any team, per NBA.com/Stats. And they’ve scored 0.92 points per possession on such plays—the second-highest rate against any team. Whichever team draws Portland in the first round has a clear plan to outscore the Blazers.

Rip City always hangs on for the long shot, and this season is no different. You can read more about potential Finals contenders’ weaknesses here.