PORTLAND’S YOUNG CORE IGNITES RED-HOT RUN Through 51 games, the Blazers (22-29) have already topped last season’s win total (21). Portland enters Thursday’s matchup vs. Sacramento (10 ET, NBA League Pass) riding a season-best five-game win streak with a 9-1 record in its last 10. The only blemish? A loss to the West-leading Thunder, the only team that entered the season with a younger roster (24.15 average age) than Portland (24.20). “Obviously, we’re young,” said Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on Monday. “But I don’t allow those excuses… The longer this season goes, the more these guys become more familiar with one another." ”Our camaraderie and our chemistry is just really good. It’s really high.” In their 9-1 stretch, seven Blazers are averaging 12+ ppg – more than any other team – and all of them except for Jerami Grant are 26 years old or younger. In that same span, the team’s OffRtg has jumped from 27th in the NBA (108.4) to 9th (117.5). Stars Emerging: In terms of total points, January was the highest-scoring month of both Deni Avdija’s (238) and Scoot Henderson’s (233) careers, highlighted by a season-high 39 points on Jan. 14 from Henderson – who was just named a Castrol Rising Star. Front & Center: Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton joins Giannis as the only players to average 20+ pts and 10+ reb on 60%+ shooting over their last six games. On the other end, another Castrol Rising Star for Portland, Toumani Camara, has begun to cement himself as one of the league’s top young defenders. Chaos Creator: Camara leads the NBA with 21 charges drawn and paces the Blazers in steals (68). The Energy: With a minimum of 3 games played and 20 minutes per game, Camara boasts the 2nd-best DefRtg in the NBA amid the Blazers’ 9-1 run (101.1). The Effect: In that span, Portland’s team DefRtg has sky-rocketed from 28th to 1st (104.7). “Our team is so together right now,” said Billups. “I’m really proud of where we’re at … these guys are playing for one another.”

𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗟 the hottest squad in the association ❤️‍🔥

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