The Portland Trailblazers have suffered an unprecedented run of tragic injuries. Yet so far this season they have played better (6 points better than average) than any Western Conference team. How has this happened?
With Przybilla and Oden out, the Blazers have playecd 370 minues and played 6.3 points better than average. The following combos (assuming Oden and Przybila out) have keyed their success (all numbers are how well team has played per 48 minutes adjusted for strength of opponents)
- Miller and Blake on court with Pendergraph out: 60 minutes , Blazers are 28 points better than average.
- Miller, Bayless, Webster on court, Blake and Perdergrpah out; Blazers in 31 minutes play 35 points better than average.
- Rest of time Oden and Pryzbilla are out Blazers have played 1 point worse than average.
In last 5 games Miller has played 16 points better than average, Bayless 19 points better than average, and Blake 11 points better than average.
These four lineups have been solid for the Blazers. For example. the last lineup listed (Aldridge Bayless Howard Miller Webster ) is up 18 points in 24 minutes and has played 43 points better than average per 48 minutes.
POR 12.76 ( 4.62 5.78 1.16 25.74 0.83 11.77) 29.15 minutes 17 appearances 2 B 6.59 4 $
Aldridge Bayless Blake Howard Roy 27.60 years 8269_POR_2009
POR 7.03 ( 5.47 -7.10 -12.57 22.96 0.89 11.88) 25.33 minutes 16 appearances 3 B 7.58 4 $
Aldridge Bayless Blake Howard Webster 27.13 years 16461_POR_2009
POR 11.00 ( -0.94 -15.86 -14.92 -21.72 0.10 12.11) 25.04 minutes 20 appearances 4 B 15.34 8 $
Aldridge Fernandez Miller Przybilla Webster 27.26 years 20641_POR_2009
POR 42.56 ( 12.85 -2.86 -15.70 52.78 1.78 13.49) 24.10 minutes 12 appearances 5 B 35.85 18 $
Aldridge Bayless Howard Miller Webster 27.91 years 16581_POR_2009