Washington-wizards vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions February 26th 2025

Trail Blazers Begin Long Road Trip Against Resurgent Wizards

The Washington Wizards have been one of the most defensively porous teams this season. However, they picked an opportune time to tighten things up.

After delivering a rare defensive showcase in their last outing, the NBA-worst Wizards aim to build momentum on Wednesday when they host the Portland Trail Blazers in Washington.

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Wizards Lock Down Brooklyn in Statement Win

The Wizards clamped down on the Brooklyn Nets in a 107-99 victory on Monday, holding them to just 12 points in the fourth quarter. The 99 points allowed were the fewest Washington has given up all season, and the lowest total by an opponent since they limited the Detroit Pistons to 96 points on March 29, 2024.

Offensively, Jordan Poole and Bilal Coulibaly led the charge. Poole erupted for 26 points, marking his fourth 20-plus-point performance in the last seven games. Meanwhile, Coulibaly found his shooting rhythm, knocking down three 3-pointers on his way to a 20-point effort after struggling in his previous three contests.

“He’s still learning, and he’s still figuring out what’s comfortable in his game,” Poole said of Coulibaly, per the Washington Post. “He’s a smart player, so he’s starting to read the game a little bit differently.”

Veterans Marcus Smart and Khris Middleton also made their presence felt. Smart provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Middleton facilitated the offense with five assists and posted a team-best plus-16 rating.

“I think I’m that unique player where I can do both — play and mentor at the same time,” Smart said. “Leading by example is something I live by.”

Trail Blazers Riding High Entering Seven-Game Trip

Portland enters this matchup on a high note after back-to-back wins, including a historic 141-88 dismantling of the Charlotte Hornets—the largest margin of victory in franchise history. Anfernee Simons played a pivotal role, scoring 25 points against Charlotte and following it up with 28 in a gritty 114-112 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Head coach Chauncey Billups acknowledged the importance of grinding out tough wins.

“We just could never really get control,” Billups said following the win over Utah. “But to me, there’s just so much to learn from these types of games. You’re going to have to win ugly games.”

Jerami Grant rebounded from a rough shooting stretch, tallying 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Deni Avdija, facing his former team, made a significant impact with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

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Meanwhile, rookie Scoot Henderson continued his improved perimeter shooting, hitting three 3-pointers for the second consecutive game. However, his six turnovers remain a concern.

“I’m not tripping about it,” Henderson said. “I’m just waiting for the next game.”

Final Thoughts

With both teams showing flashes of promise, this matchup presents an intriguing test for the young squads. Washington looks to sustain its defensive improvements, while Portland aims to carry its offensive momentum into a grueling road stretch.

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