The story behind the Portland Trail Blazers’ bench issues

The Portland Trail Blazers have struggled since their 10-3 start. The production from their reserves may have something to do with it.

The Portland Trail Blazers sit at 15-13 on the year. This is their second consecutive season holding that record through the first 28 games. Rip City got off to a soaring start, going 10-3 through the first 13 games. However, they have stumbled to a 5-10 record since then.

The two halves of the first 28 games feel like night and day. The new offense that emphasized better ball movement has stagnated. It produced a 113.6 offensive rating through the first 13 games (fifth in the NBA), but only a 107.1 rating in the last 15 (22nd).

By the same token, Portland’s formidable team defense has also lost its punch. The same team that produced a 104.4 defensive rating through first 13 games (fifth) has gone on to generate a 112.9 rating over the last 15 contests (26th).

Things have also gotten cold on the Blazers’ bench. The reserves averaged 40.1 points per game through the first 13 games (ninth in the league). However, their production plummeted to 28.2 points per game over the last 15, second-fewest in the league.

The bench’s struggles culminated in their worst two-game stretch of the season. During their quick road swing against the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies, Portland’s second unit was outscored by the opponents’ bench, 75-28.

In fact, when you compare the Blazers’ bench to their opponent on a game-by-game basis, you pick up on a pattern. Portland’s reserves are 12-15-1 on the year against the opposing bench. They went 9-5-1 through the first 15 games with an average point differential of +4.1. However, they have gone 3-10 since then with an average point differential of -10.2.

By contrast, the Blazers’ starters have fared much better. They hold a 19-8-1 record against the opposing starting five. The starters also went 9-5-1 through the first 15 games with a +3.7 average point differential. However, they have actually improved since then, with a 10-3 record and a +5.0 average point differential.

So what seems to be the problem? In one word: regression. The second unit jumped out to such a blazing start this year, exceeding the expectations of many. There was bound to be a point in the season where these players would lose steam and even out their averages.

For instance, Nik Stauskas started the year with five double-digit performances over the first eight games, including 24 points in the season opener. He averaged 10.1 points in those games, but is a 7.0 points per game scorer for his career. That hot shooting was eventually going to cool off.

Zach Collins made great strides to start the year, averaging 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds through the first 12 games. His current slump (4.9 points, 4.1 rebounds since) can be chalked up to growing pains for the second-year center.

Seth Curry also got off to a solid start, but he’s been sidetracked since suffering a right patellar bruise in mid-November. His return to form may depend on how quickly he heals.

With the other three struggling, Evan Turner‘s point production dipped from 10.4 points per game in the first 11 games to 6.3 over his last 16. While his assists per game improved from 4.1 to 4.3, defenses have keyed back in on the fact that Turner is still a player that lacks shooting touch.

Meyers Leonard‘s trajectory, however, deviates from the other four. He was little-used through the first nine games, appearing in only six of them and averaging 7.6 minutes per game. However, he was quickly thrown into the mix on Nov. 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing nearly 22 minutes. Leonard answered the call, notching 15 points and 12 rebounds. It was his first double-double since Nov. 20, 2016.

From that game through Nov. 30, Leonard averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game. He shot 52.8 percent from the field and 55.9 percent from 3-point range. The bench went 6-7 against the opposing bench over that span, while the team went 7-6 overall. He capped off the stretch with 11 points in a close loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Unfortunately, Leonard has also since regressed. Over the last six games, he has gone back to being less utilized in the rotation. He has averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game over that span. His shooting percentages have dropped to 33.3 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from distance.

Despite the issues, there have still been a few bright spots from the bench along the way. Stauskas dropped 18 points in Portland’s Nov. 28 win over the Orlando Magic. Evan Turner pitched in 17 points in a close Nov. 25 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Even Jake Layman — who has started 20 of his 23 games — produced a career-high 24 points in a reserve role to help the Blazers blow out the Phoenix Suns on Dec. 6. He notably went 6-of-6 from the field in the first quarter and led the bench to a season-high 57 points.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ bench was a huge asset to start the season. However, each member of the second unit has since regressed. With plenty more season left, they still have the opportunity to turn things around. However, the process won’t be easy. Their next opponent is the Toronto Raptors, a team that is tearing through foes on their four-game Western Conference road trip.