Portland Trail Blazers: Overcoming their second quarter struggles
The Portland Trail Blazers started the season with an uncanny ability to struggle in the second quarter. What has the team done to fix this problem?
The Portland Trail Blazers currently sit at 10-7 ahead of their Nov. 22 matchup at the Philadelphia 76ers, the second of a five-game road trip. Their last game was a 100-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Within that game, the Blazers were able to defeat the Grizzlies 32-22 in the second quarter. It was Portland’s fourth second quarter win over the previous five games. It was quite the turnaround compared to how they started the year.
Portland started the season 4-8 in second quarters. They came away with a -11.5 net rating, second-worst in the league through Nov. 10. This stat was particularly glaring because of its contrast to the team’s fortunes in the other quarters.
Over that same span, the Blazers went 8-3-1 in the first quarter with a +16.2 net rating (third in the NBA). They were 6-6 in the third quarter with a +7.7 net rating (sixth in the NBA). In the fourth, the Blazers were 8-2-2 with a +7.9 net rating (sixth in the NBA).
Since then, the Blazers have followed up their 4-1 second quarter record with a +29.4 net rating, second-best in the NBA over the last 11 days. They’ve improved so much in the second that they’ve actually exceeded their first, third and fourth quarter numbers.
Portland’s early issues in the second quarter speak to the importance of consistency in the NBA. Basketball is a game of runs and slumps, so its understandable that a team won’t be “on” from wire-to-wire.
However, actively struggling for 12 out of 48 minutes sets a team back in its quest for victory. For the Blazers, their second quarter problems negated the progress made in the first quarter and forced them to fight for their win in the second half.
The reasons behind Portland’s second quarter setbacks varied. Their 36-29 quarter loss at the Milwaukee Bucks and the 37-25 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers were the result of two opponents relentlessly attacking the basket.
Meanwhile, their 29-18 quarter loss to the New Orleans Pelicans used early offense and quick ball movement to open up 3-point opportunities. The team went 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, managing to take a lead at halftime despite losing Anthony Davis in the first quarter.
But Portland’s most infamous quarter loss occurred on Oct. 30 against the Toronto Raptors. The 25-6 drubbing was the result of Portland succumbing to suffocating defense. The quarter went so terribly, the Blazers ended up scoring the fewest points in a second quarter in franchise history.
But the tide has turned. Portland’s last three second quarter victories have been by double-digits. They dispatched the Orlando Magic 27-14, defeated the Sacramento Kings at home 32-21 and won at Memphis 32-22. The Blazers ultimately won all three of those games.
The Portland Trail Blazers have opened the season as a lockdown defensive team with a potent 3-point attack. This has led to some big wins and bigger moments. However, their good play was marred by their troubles in the second quarter.
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Their turnaround in that aspect has led to more emphatic wins. If this trend continues, the team could be on the right track to being a formidable team in the Western Conference.