3 reasons Portland Trail Blazers will make the 2019 NBA Playoffs

3. A more dynamic offense

While the Blazers’ style of play has brought them a fair amount of success, it’s also had its limitations over the years. That was very apparent during last year’s playoff series, when Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday successfully locked down Damian Lillard for all four games. As a result, the rest of the offense was in disarray. Their over-reliance on the dynamic point guard to create all of the team’s offense was their downfall.

Portland now enters the 2018-19 season with a more spaced-out approach to scoring. Over the summer, the team added sharpshooters Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas in free agency, drafted Anfernee Simons and acquired rookie Gary Trent Jr. via trade. Additionally, they let bruising big Ed Davis walk in free agency, opening up minutes this year for floor-spacing bigs Zach Collins and Meyers Leonard.

Rip City ranked last in assists per game last season (19.5) and 19th in 3-point attempts per game (28.1). Having four — and sometimes five — perimeter shooters on the floor at a time should bump up both of those averages and make them less predictable on offense.

If this new style connects with the roster, the Blazers shouldn’t have any issue getting into the postseason.