Yes, there are a lot of wins out there. The schedule is set up for a second-half run. But a few days ago, I asked people to tell me the difference between Portland and Cleveland after a game in the Rose Garden. Most everyone had the same answer: Lebron James.

I watched that game and yes, James is a tough player to overcome. But do I think the Blazers, overall, have more talent than the Cavaliers? Yes, on that night with West and Ilgauskas out, they certainly did.

The difference between Portland and Cleveland — and the difference between Portland and the other top teams — isn’t so much talent on the roster but the way the teams defend. And the Blazers have had problems on defense since the opening game of the season.

And forget about points allowed when judging this — how many points you allow is merely a product of the pace you play. Portland slows the game down and thus doesn’t allow as many points as other teams who run more. The key statistic when it comes to defense has always been field-goal percentage against. How well do teams shoot against you?

In this statistic the Blazers show themselves to be the worst defensive team among those good teams probably headed for the playoffs — and it isn’t really close.

The best teams at holding down opposing shooters? Just the teams you might expect — Boston (42.2 percent), Cleveland (42.4 percent), Orlando (42.8 percent). The Lakers are a couple of more spots down at 44.7 percent). At the other end of the spectrum, there only eight teams worse than the Blazers — and listen to this ragtag collection: Memphis, Sacramento, New York, Washington, Oklahoma City, Minnesota, New Jersey, Golden State. You want to be lumped in with those teams in any category? The Clippers are significantly better than Portland, for heaven’s sake.

Portland’s field-goal percentage against is 46.5 percent. When teams are shooting that well against you, you’re pretty fortunate to be able to call yourself a playoff team.

And that, more than anything else, is where the challenge is during the second half of the season. The Blazers must start defending with more intelligence and greater intensity than they have so far. That’s what’s keeping them out of the status of elite teams.

 A LATE ADD TO THIS POST: Last season the Blazers held opponents to 45.1 percent shooting. Not great, but certainly better than this season. Young teams are supposed to get better, aren’t they?

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Tags: Cleveland Cavaliers, defense, Dwight Jaynes, field-goal percentage against, Portland Trail Blazers