For a while there, we lost them, that free-wheeling and fun Portland Trail Blazers team, that band of brothers bonded in an underdog spirit and tethered by an unselfish creed.

For a while there, we saw them become disjointed, in part because of injuries, in part because of individual slumps. And for a while there they became both anxious and paralyzed, a little eager to make the big shot, and a little forgetful that movement makes this offense go.

But after Friday's exhilarating, exhausting and euphoric 115-112 victory over Oklahoma City, it's safe to say the Trail Blazers are back.

"It was one of those games where we turned back into ourselves,'' Damian Lillard said. "The best way to describe it was the how I felt out there. The way we were there for each other - high fives, the emotion from everybody is back to what we are accustomed to. That's what we do: we support each other, we move the ball, play exciting basketball games.''

Lillard made note of "the energy" during the Blazers' last two games - victories over San Antonio and the hard-charging Thunder. When the Blazers were blowing a big lead to Dallas, getting rolled by Utah, and stalling late against Memphis ...

"It just didn't feel like us,'' Lillard said.

Friday, in a rollicking Moda Center, the Blazers reminded us how entertaining, how resilient and how good they can be when they are themselves.

This was far from a masterpiece.

The Blazers (38-19) missed a bevy of close range shots. They had stretches of poor rebounding, and mind-blowing failures to pick up men in transition and off pick-and-rolls. And Portland continues to be one of the worst fast-break teams in the NBA.

"I don't think we played our best,'' coach Terry Stotts said, "but we found a way.''

Afflalo had 18 points in 31 minutes off the bench, but perhaps more valuable than his scoring was his defense. Since coming to Portland from Denver, Afflalo has guarded Westbrook, Kyle Singler, Manu Ginobili, Tony Allen, and Courtney Lee. In other words, he has guarded everything from a point guard to a stretch four.

"He makes us more versatile,'' Wesley Matthews said. "He adds another dimension to us. He just knows how to play the game.''

Added Aldridge: "He brings a different dynamic to the team.''

So yes, the old Blazers are back, this time new and improved. And that might mean more than Aldridge's 29 points and 16 rebounds on Friday, more than Lillard's 29 points and five assists, and more than the commanding seven game lead over the Thunder for the Northwest Division title.

Because when this team is right, it can beat anybody. And when this team is right, the Moda Center takes on a life of its own, making it one of the more special places in the NBA.

So welcome back Blazers. For a while there, we lost you.

"Our confidence is back,'' Aldridge said. "Our confidence definitely wavered for a minute going down the stretch in fourth quarters, but tonight and lately, our swagger in the fourth quarter has come back to us.''

--Jason Quick | jquick@oregonian.com | @jwquick