The Portland Trail Blazers have started the season with a 3-5 record, slightly better than many experts anticipated. They have shown competitiveness, moving up in power rankings, notably from 27 to 22 in the New York Times rankings.
Despite some impressive wins, including one against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Blazers struggle with point differentials and have faced challenges in third quarters. Improved defense is a highlight, but offensive efficiency remains a concern.