The Portland Trail Blazers can be considered a bit of a mystery this season. The team is currently 6-5 in the 2025/26 NBA regular season, having struggled for consistency over the course of their first 11 games.
Ahead of the campaign, many had considered them to be a “dark horse” in the betting for the NBA championships. Indeed, they have a talented roster and can put together impressive performances on the court, although their early form has perhaps highlighted why they are possible underdogs.
Bettors who are considering to wager on the basketball this season should check out this comprehensive NBA betting guide before doing so, as they’ll be able to learn about all of the important aspects and nuances that this sport offers as a betting activity. With the Portland Trail Blazers involved, it can be wise to understand as much as possible, as sometimes you just don’t know what might happen with this franchise.
Why are the Portland Trail Blazers considered “dark horses”?
The Portland Trail Blazers were never considered legitimate NBA championship candidates by anyone ahead of the regular season. The team had a disappointing 2024/25 season, having finished with a losing record of 36-46 (.439) and missing out on the playoffs.
The team appears to have rallied with a positive (albeit inconsistent) start to this year’s campaign. This is mainly due to the core of young talent being combined with additional veteran stars, which has helped the roster become more competitive.
As of writing, the team is 6-5 (.545) for the season; each of their wins has been against Western Conference opponents, as they hold a 6-3 record in conference play. They have had several close games and have had a tendency to perform well as underdogs, further adding to their “dark horse” label. Indeed, the early-season victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder (121-119) has only enhanced that status.
According to some analysts, the team is projected to finish around .500 (41-41 or 43-39), which would be a significant improvement from last year and could see them make the play-in tournament or even the playoffs as a lower seed.
The team has demonstrated strong defensive growth, with the emergence of young players such as Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, and Donovan Clingan, who have stepped up their production. Avdija has been a huge positive for the team, as he is currently leading the team in points scored per game. The 5th season star has managed to score 25.5 points per game, almost six more than the next best (Jerami Grant and Sharpe, both 19.7). Clingan leads the team in rebounds at 8.8 per game, while veteran Jrue Holiday leads the team in assists (8.1 per game).
Another reason the Portland Trail Blazers could be considered underdogs and quietly challenge for the NBA championship is their ability to score points. The team has been very consistent across the NBA, ranking 7th in the league with 121.0 points per game. In addition, they are fifth in terms of the league ranking in steals (10.1 per game). These figures could pose many of their opponents’ challenges in upcoming fixtures, especially if they can maintain these numbers.
Why the Portland Trail Blazers shouldn’t be considered “dark horses”
If we’re looking at the other side of the argument, there are reasons why it might be worth considering that the Portland Trail Blazers aren’t the black horse of the 2025/26 NBA regular season and why there may be other teams that are worth backing if seeking value away from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Indeed, one of those involves the ongoing situation with their head coach, Billups. Without him, the team may struggle to continue performing, given the external distractions. As we’ve seen already, the club is very inconsistent and can be a little all over the place on the court. They’ve shown that opponents in the Eastern Conference appear to be a problem, and this is something that cannot continue to happen.
At the same time, the team’s defense has been poor. They are ranked 26th for points allowed, conceding 121.6 per game. In contrast, the best teams (OKC and Boston Celtics) are below 110 per game. Given how leaky their defense is, it raises questions about how far they can go and whether they will be able to keep the top teams out during a potential playoff run.
Additionally, questions will be asked about whether their players can maintain the momentum they have achieved so far. Injuries can be devastating, while slight dips in performance can have a significant impact on the course of their season.
Portland are worth keeping an eye on
Given how things have started this season, the Portland Trail Blazers are definitely worth keeping an eye on. They’ve been performing well despite their inconsistencies. If they can shake these off, then there is every chance they can challenge the very best and potentially make the playoffs.
