Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 player performances of 2017

4. C.J. McCollum, Jan. 1: 43 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 35.0 Game Score

C.J. McCollum kicked off 2017 on the right foot, putting up huge scoring numbers in place of an injured Damian Lillard. His 43 points put a spark in an otherwise sluggish matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Portland won the game 95-89.

This was McCollum’s career-high in points, as he went 16-for-25 from the field and 3-for-6 from 3-point range. His 64.0 percent shooting made this his second-most efficient game of the season.

Once again, it was his mid-range game that gave his opponents fits. McCollum went 11-for-17 on 2-pointers outside of the restricted area. When teams think they can chase McCollum off of the 3-point line, they forget that he can pull up from a few feet closer.

Only three other Blazers finished in double-figures, led by Mason Plumlee’s 18 points and eight rebounds. They managed to beat out a Timberwolves squad that had six players reach double-digits.

The Chicago Bulls are due on New Year’s Day this season. Once again, Damian Lillard is nursing an injury. Chances are, the Blazers are hoping for another game like this from C.J. McCollum.