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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 reasons they will make the playoffs in 2017-18

By Raymond Simms

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 2: The Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 2: The Portland Trail Blazers huddle up during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
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2. The team will step up defensively

There’s no doubt about it: the Blazers were a bad defensive team last season. According to Basketball-Reference, the team allowed 110.8 points per 100 possessions, 24th in the NBA. However, their defensive rating improved with Nurkic on the team. The Blazers allowed 109.0 points per 100 possessions in the 20 games he played. This is a small sign that the Blazers defense is due for some progression.

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Like on offense, Nurkic is the key on defense. His presence as a rim protector allows the wings and guards to focus on perimeter players. Perimeter defenders can also funnel attackers to Nurkic for him to impact their shot. Davis and Vonleh can also serve in Nurkic’s role this season.

On the wings, Aminu, Turner and Maurice Harkless all did commendable jobs on the defensive end. Chances are they will do more of the same in 2017-18.

But the biggest improvement will be needed out of the starting guards. McCollum and Lillard are dynamic on offense but struggle on defense. The two bring the effort, but the numbers don’t bare out. According to Basketball-Reference, both players have a 113 defensive rating. According to NBA Math, Lillard struggled most defending off-screen plays, while McCollum had issues with pick-and-roll ball handlers.

A playoff berth would indicate that the duo patched up those issues and improved defensively. Along with solid rim protectors and wing defenders, Portland would be a team that is hard to score on.

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