Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from their 3-game losing streak

Faltering defensively

The Blazers have also lost their grasp on the defensive end. This team held a 99.3 defensive rating on Nov. 29, second-best in the NBA. However, that rating has been 111.5 over the last three games, 10th-worst since Nov. 30.

Portland has averaged 4.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game over the past few games. This contrasts with the 6.8 steals and 5.8 blocks per game they were averaging in their first 21 matchups.

But the most glaring stat defensively is once again on the perimeter. The Blazers held teams to 33.1 percent 3-point shooting in their first 21 games. That was the fifth-best mark in the league through Nov. 29. Over the last three games, Portland has allowed 42.1 percent shooting beyond the arc, third-worst in the league.

The Blazers have also struggled to contain each team’s top players. Khris Middleton (game-high 26 points), Eric Bledsoe (25) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (20) combined to push Milwaukee past Portland. DeMarcus Cousins took up the slack for an injured Anthony Davis and dropped 38 points in New Orleans’ win. Four other players joined Cousins in double-figures.

But Bradley Beal, with John Wall out, had the biggest night ever against Portland. Literally. His 51 points in the Wizards’ win were the most by a visiting opponent in Blazers franchise history.