3 ways the Portland Trail Blazers can start a new winning streak

Unleash the 3-pointers

It goes without saying that the 3-point shot is a crucial part of the modern NBA gameplan. The NBA is collectively taking more 3-pointers than ever before, averaging an all-time high of 28.9 attempts per game.

In recent years, the Blazers have been the trendsetters in that category. They were top 10 in 3-point attempts per game each season from 2011-12 through 2016-17.

However, they have fallen behind the league pace in 2017-18. Their 27.7 3-point attempts per game this season matches their average from the previous year, but their ranking in that category has dropped from 10th in 2017 to 20th in 2018.

That 27.7 number really encompasses a tale of two seasons. For much of the year, Portland was shooting 3-pointers efficiently, but wasn’t putting them up enough. The Blazers averaged 26.8 attempts per game through Feb. 13, 21st-most in the NBA. They knocked down 37.9 percent of those shots.

A key part of the Blazers’ winning streak required them to increase their 3-point shooting volume. This also came with a slight increase in efficiency. Portland averaged 31.5 attempts per game over the course of the streak, ninth-most in the league. They converted on 38.1 percent of them. The Blazers put up at least 30 shots from beyond the arc in 10 of the 13 wins.

If the Blazers want to start up another streak, the 3-point shot is going to be key to making it happen. Portland has the efficiency from outside, it just needs to make sure it is consistently shooting enough perimeter jumpers to punish opponents.