Portland Trail Blazers: 5 players who need a big final stretch after hiatus

CJ McCollum:

Of all the backcourts in the NBA, the dynamic duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum is one of the top-rated in the entire association. This was in evidence during the playoffs last season when the Trail Blazers made their extended post-season run.

In the first round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard was something special. He was the better of the point guards in the series and that is saying something considering the other one was Russell Westbrook. Then there was the shot from the logo which sent the Thunder home.

Then the next matchup against the Denver Nuggets, McCollum took over to the tune of 26.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. In a series when Lillard shot the 3-ball at an appalling 28.8 percent, McCollum picked up the slack with his 37.5 percent from deep.

This season McCollum is averaging 22.5 points, 4.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game. He stood up when Lillard was injured, averaging 35.0 points per game. The team went 2-4 in this time but that cannot be laid at the feet of McCollum.

For the last month of the season, McCollum needs to produce at a level closer to the post-All-Star/Lillard injury level if the Trail Blazers have any hope for the eighth seed.