Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview: Defense-First Approach Under Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups wants his team’s identity to be built on defense—and the Portland Trail Blazers are putting their money where their mouths are.

Billups knows what a championship blueprint looks like. The former Finals MVP of the 2004 Detroit Pistons was twice named to the NBA’s All-Defensive team, and in April he signed a contract extension to continue leading Portland’s rebuild.

NBA Futures Odds – Trail Blazers Win Total (BetOnline)

• Under 34.5 Wins (-130)

• Over 34.5 Wins (-110)

Defensive Focus Sparked Momentum Last Season

The Blazers quietly stockpiled defensive-minded young talent, and the emphasis showed late in the 2024–25 campaign. Portland went 23-18 in the second half of the season, ranking among the NBA’s top five defensive teams during that stretch.

They finished 12th in the Western Conference, just three games shy of the play-in tournament. That’s a promising springboard heading into this year.

Of course, the West remains brutally competitive. If the Blazers want to crash the playoff picture, they’ll need to carry over that defensive identity.

Why Jrue Holiday Makes Sense

Some off-season moves raised eyebrows. Portland brought back Damian Lillard on a three-year, $42 million deal, even though he’s likely sidelined all season with an Achilles tear.

Then came the big one: trading 20-point scorer Anfernee Simons for 35-year-old Jrue Holiday. Critics saw it as a downgrade.

But viewed through the Blazers’ new lens, it makes perfect sense. Simons has always been a defensive liability. Holiday, a six-time All-Defensive selection, is one of the NBA’s best perimeter stoppers and a respected leader. He perfectly embodies the culture Billups is building.

Also gone is DeAndre Ayton. Despite solid numbers, his inconsistency and lack of defensive effort clashed with Portland’s new direction.

Defensive Depth Across the Roster

The Blazers now boast a roster full of defensive specialists:

• Toumani Camara – relentless forward, named Second Team All-Defensive last year.

• Matisse Thybulle – two-time NBA All-Defensive honoree, a proven disruptor on the wing.

• Robert Williams III – former All-Defensive big man, if healthy, adds rim protection off the bench.

• Donovan Clingan – rookie shot-blocker from UConn, already making an impact (1.6 BPG in 20 MPG).

• Yang Hansen – 7’1” CBA Defensive Player of the Year and league blocks leader, drafted in the first round.

With this mix, Portland has the size, length, and mindset to frustrate opponents and grind out wins.

Betting Verdict

The Blazers are far from contenders, but they’ve established a clear identity—something they lacked for years. With Billups steering a defense-first culture and Holiday leading the locker room, this team is built to compete every night.

Last season’s late surge wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of defensive buy-in.

Pick: OVER 34.5 Wins (-110)

Expect Portland to surprise and be in the mix for a play-in spot.