Recap: Blazers defeat Pacers 114-96 behind CJ McCollum
The Portland Trail Blazers faced a Myles Turner-less Indiana Pacers squad, with CJ McCollum making his return after a one-game suspension.
Despite advantages in both talent and roster availability, the Blazers spent much of the first quarter locking horns with the short-handed Pacers.
With three minutes left, Portland held a 20-19 lead, with encouraging signs from Damian Lillard on defense as he poked at a passing lane which led to an easy fast break bucket.
Equally encouraging was seeing Al-Farouq Aminu and Pat Connaughton hitting their first threes of the game.
A burst led by CJ McCollum gave Portland a 31-25 advantage after one.
Star after Q1 – DAMIAN LILLARD – 10pts, 2rbs, 4ast, 1stl, 1blk
Ed Davis looked strong early in the 2nd, as did Caleb Swanigan.
One play of note: Davis got position on the block, took a hard dribble, jumped, looked for an escape pass, and darted it to Swanigan at the other edge of the paint, who was then fouled in the act of shooting.
However, the Blazers’ team-wide energy slumped, and their lead was cut to 38-37 with nine minutes to go in the half.
McCollum, shaking rust he built up during his brief absence, continued a solid first half by hitting a triple.
Evan Turner, looking much more comfortable tonight than last season, scored eight straight points to get Portland’s lead to 55-43 with three minutes to go.
After a little back-and-forth, he knocked down a three, helping the Blazers take a 62-52 into the locker room.
Star after Q2 – EVAN TURNER – 13pts, 2rbs, 2ast, 5-9 FG
Play was sloppy to begin the third, and the Pacers wasted no time cutting the lead to six. Portland restored order without much trouble, even after Jusuf Nurkić went to the bench with four quick fouls.
With their feet back under them, the Blazers pushed the lead back to 14 with three minutes left in the 3rd, benefitting from another Connaughton three and from CJ’s continued rampage.
Zach Collins made his NBA debut late in the third, joining his teammates as they watched McCollum hit two more threes and a bucket to give Portland a 91-73 lead after three.
Star after Q3 – CJ McCOLLUM – 26pts, 5rbs, 1stl, 1blk, 11-16 FG
Portland came out of the gate a bit flat to start the 4th, and their lead was whittled down to 11 just a few minutes in.
Fortunately, the Blazers clicked back into gear, and in the blink of an eye the lead was back to 18 with six to go.
The rest felt predetermined. The Blazers walked off the court with a 114-96 victory and a 2-0 start to the 2017-18 season.
Star of the Game – CJ McCOLLUM – 28pts, 7rbs, 1stl, 1blk, 12-18 FG
THREE TAKEAWAYS:
No more mask for Nurkić.
After getting popped in the face and losing two teeth last year, Nurk had been wearing a mask during training camp, preseason, and the first game of the season.
The mask was gone tonight… and he had a bit of a letdown game with 11 points on 4-13 shooting, two boards, and six turnovers.
Put that mask back on, Nurk!
CJ McCollum is good at basketball.
Seeing him back on the court after serving a one-game suspension was quite the sight.
He ended the third quarter on a tear, shifting into the lane for banked runners and hitting threes. 3J finished with a game-high 28.
Welcome back, Crafty James.
Evan Turner is looking way more comfortable.
Calling for the ball, posting up, and spinning for his signature midrange jumper without forcing it: it all looked smooth. He even hit a three in the 2nd quarter!
If Turner keeps this up, he will quickly gain the trust of Rip City fans, who spent much of last season wishing he were anywhere but Portland.
NEXT GAME
No rest for the weary as the Blazers play TOMORROW against the Milwaukee Bucks. The game is at the BMO Harris Bradley Center at 5:30 p.m. PT.