Blazers’ Early NBA Western Conference Lead Faces a Schedule That Toughens

A rare opening run

Portland’s 6-1 record is among the strongest starts in franchise history. Since the team began play in 1970-71, it has opened at least 6-1 eight times, according to StatHead.

Six of those seasons ended with a playoff appearance, and two included division titles. The 1976-77 team won the franchise’s only NBA championship, while the 1981-82 team missed the postseason after finishing 42-40.

Early results need context

The Blazers are second in offensive rating at 121.0, eighth in defensive rating at 108.1 and second in net rating at plus-12.9. Those numbers have come against opponents with a combined 21-26 record.

Portland beat the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets, but its wins over Utah, Sacramento and Phoenix came against teams with losing records. The team cannot choose its opponents, but the early results leave questions about how it will fare against stronger competition.

A tougher November test

Portland has the fourth-hardest remaining schedule, according to HoopsJunkie. Its upcoming games include another meeting with the Lakers, followed by the San Antonio Spurs and two consecutive matchups with Oklahoma City.

A six-game road trip will include games against Minnesota, New York and Philadelphia, with Milwaukee also on the schedule. The Blazers then return home to face the Spurs, Golden State and New Orleans; excluding Sacramento and Milwaukee, the upcoming opponents have a combined 46-19 record.

The stretch could provide a clearer measure of Portland’s prospects, though the team may have to manage it without Ja Morant. The article says the November results could shape whether the Blazers are viewed as contenders or as a team whose early success does not hold up.