that sure seems like a pretty random hook to hang your Blazer homer hat on
yes, there are only 6 teams with a better record; but there are 10 other teams either tied with Portland or within 1 game. And 7 of those teams are tied or within a half game. That's a cluster of 17 teams. Meanwhile, there are 17 teams with a better point differential; and there are 17 teams with a better net rating differential. Over 14 games, Portland has only played 4 teams with winning records, and only beat 1 of those teams. Portland's position at the top of the 11 also-rans appears more of a fluke of scheduling and lucky bounces than a function of playing better
maybe all of that just proves that at this stage there are only random hooks to hang homer hats on. Certainly, fans of teams like the Lakers, Clips, Jazz, Bucks, and 76ers have more reason to be happy. But random sure appears to be the controlling factor of this Covid season. Just about every team is taking turns blowing out 'better' teams one night, than getting blown out by 'worse' teams the next game. It's pretty much unpredictable from game to game for most of the teams in the league.