Portland Trail Blazers: Top 3 performers in loss to Los Angeles Clippers
2. C.J. McCollum
C.J. McCollum has come through for the Portland Trail Blazers time and time again, building on his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable scorers. Against the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday, McCollum finished with 23 points, five rebounds and four assists on 8-of-18 shooting from the field, 2-of-3 shooting from behind the arc and 5-of-7 shooting from the free throw line.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
He almost single-handedly willed the Blazers to their win over the New Orleans Pelicans last Tuesday, scoring 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help fuel the 11-0 late-game run that won the night.
That’s not to say McCollum hasn’t had his share of issues to start the season. First he was suspended for the regular season opener after leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation in the preseason; then he was subject to a no-call after being grabbed by Giannis Antetokounmpo for the game-winning steal; now he’s under fire for missing the free throw that gave way to the game-winning 3-pointer by Blake Griffin.
Regardless of his inability to secure that game for the Blazers at the line, McCollum has put together a strong All-Star case early in the year, averaging 25 points on 52.2 percent shooting from the field and 66.7 percent from long range.