2016 NBA Playoffs: Each Team's Week 1 MVP

2016 NBA Playoffs: Each Team’s Week 1 MVP

April 16, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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April 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) moves the ball up court against Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

Again, it’s hard to choose a player on this Portland Trail Blazers roster when they’ve been thoroughly dominated through the first two games. C.J. McCollum is only averaging 12.5 points per game, Al-Farouq Aminu and Allen Crabbe aren’t hitting shots, and even Mason Plumlee‘s 10.5 points, 7.5 boards and 3.5 assists per game can’t distract from how DeAndre Jordan has dominated him.

Lillard, McCollum, Aminu, Crabbe, Harkless are a combined 11/50 (22%) from deep this series; all below 30%. #Blazers #Clippers #NBAplayoffs
— David MacKay (@DavidMacKayNBA) April 21, 2016

That leaves us with the team’s leading scorer, Damian Lillard, as the default choice. Unfortunately, his numbers have dipped to 19.0 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game under the lockdown defense of Chris Paul.

Dame has struggled to score in this series, shooting 33.3 percent from the floor and 21.4 percent from three-point range. With the series heading back to Rip City for Game 3, the Blazers are going to need the Lillard who averaged 25.1 points, 6.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game during the regular season.

Next: Atlanta Hawks