10 games: 3 times
Portland’s win against Miami on Tuesday enshrined their active winning streak into the Double-Digit Club. All-star guard Damian Lillard has led the charge with MVP-like production.
Lillard is averaging 32.5 points per game and shooting 42.7 percent from beyond the arc over the course of this streak. He has scored 30 or more points in six of the 10 games. His best performances include dropping 44 in their streak-starting game against the Warriors, as well as 40 in a win over the Phoenix Suns.
In addition to Lillard’s play, the team has collectively locked down opponents on the defensive end. The Blazers are holding teams to 99.3 points per 100 possessions, second-best in the NBA over the course of the streak.
Portland will seek to extend its streak Thursday when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Portland also pulled off a 10-gamer during the 2000-01 season, lasting from Dec. 23, 2000 through Jan. 11, 2001. This streak was a team effort on both ends of the floor.
Offensively, six players averaged double-digit scoring numbers; Rasheed Wallace led the way at 17.7 points per game. Defensively, the Blazers outscored opponents by 12.7 points per game and kept teams under 80 points four times. They even held the Charlotte Hornets to 67 points in a New Year’s Day matchup.
But the first 10-game streak occurred from Mar. 3-20, 1990. It was also the first ever double-digit winning streak in franchise history.
Portland put up some big scoring nights during the streak. They averaged 119.5 points per game, posting 110 or more points in eight of the 10 games. Their best night saw them drop 142 on an expansion Orlando Magic squad.
The Blazers finished the 1989-90 season 11-5 following the streak. They eventually earned their second conference title in franchise history. Unfortunately, Portland fell 4-1 to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals.