The Portland Trail Blazers lost 118-114 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the closing minutes of Wednesday’s regular-season opener at the Moda Center. But if the night was measured by Portland playing with the principles and identity the team preached all preseason, then Game 1 of 82 was a big, fat success.

Physical, disruptive defense? Check.

Fast-paced, movement-based offense? Check.

A delighted home crowd? Check.

Continuing their momentum from the second half of last season, the Blazers came out with an edge on opening night. They were relentless with 94-feet defensive pressure all game, and they led for 41 straight minutes — not just holding Minnesota at bay but controlling the game and forcing the 2025 Western Conference runner-up to play on their heels. Then in a back-and-forth cr

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