The Trail Blazers sit with unfamiliar company in the bottom third of the week nine power rankings largely surrounded by rebuilding franchises, perennial playoff missers, and teams without superstar players. At this point last season, the Blazers were breaking into the top 10 in the power rankings. Having now lost five games in a row and eight of their last nine, Portland has been unable to take advantage of this home-heavy stretch of games despite their early-season success at home.
Portland has had the toughest strength of schedule of any team thus far but has the 22nd-strongest remaining strength of schedule.