What to watch for: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns

The Portland Trail Blazers take on the Phoenix Suns for the second time this preseason, this time at home. Here’s what to watch for as the game develops.

In the Portland Trail Blazers fourth preseason game, they take on the Phoenix Suns again. Last time, the Blazers coasted past the Suns, 115-93. Portland will look for some deja vu on their home court and show Phoenix who’s boss.

Here’s what to watch for in Blazers vs. Suns:

Nurkic letting it fly from deep

I’ll admit it: I’ve totally bought into Jusuf Nurkic being a three-point shooter this year.

And apparently, so are other people:

In his last preseason affair against the Jazz, Nurkic went two-for-two from beyond the arc – and it should’ve been three-for-three, but the Bosnian Beast had his toe on the line (read: robbed).

When the Blazers faced off against the Jazz on October 5, Nurkic missed the only three he took. So, look for him to get in a few tonight to make up for that.

All kidding aside, Head Coach Terry Stotts has said that he wants Nurkic to shoot the ball from deep when he’s comfortable and open from there. Now that we’re seeing him gain some confidence with the stroke, it’ll be interesting to see when he decides to let that three-ball fly.

Of course, all this excitement could work against him.

If he starts falling in love with the deep shot and it’s not falling, then you’re right to start screaming at your TV. Nurkic should be looking to become better as a roller, finisher, and high-post passer. Any long-range shooting is just icing on the cake.

Blazers defensive tenacity

Against the Jazz, the Blazers looked like fierce defenders for the most part. They rotated all around the perimeter, closed off shots, baited Utah’s players into Nurkic’s path, and forced them to shoot inefficient midrange pull-ups.

Look to see if this intensity remains when the Blazers go up against a Phoenix Suns team with less overall firepower.

Also, watch if the Blazers are continuing to fully buy into their drop-big defensive scheme, and how well guys who aren’t named Jusuf play as the “big.” Portland likes to let their center hang around the restricted area, run shooters off the arc, and make them choose between meeting their big at the rim or settling outside the paint.

Nurkic was fantastic in this scheme and notched five blocks as a result. However, keep your eyes on how somebody like Zach Collins fits into this role.

Can Seth Curry get going?

Thus far, I’ve been fairly unimpressed with Seth Curry. That’s not to say he’s been bad by any means. Maybe I’ve just hyped him up too much in my head.

Throughout the preseason, he has averaged 6.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, and one assist. His three-point percentage? 28.6. Not exactly sniper-y.

But hey, his best exhibition game came against Phoenix last Friday, so maybe he can rekindle some of that magic against them again.

I want to see him run more pick-and-roll, and for the Blazers to target him for more three-pointers. He is shooting about two per game right now, and I’d like to see him get around four this game.

The guy needs to be put in every position possible to re-find his rhythm after a year off basketball.

Does Harkless play?

On Friday, all signs pointed to Maurice Harkless playing limited minutes against the Jazz. However, just before game-time, he experienced soreness in his right ankle and the team opted to keep him out.

Harkless is likely to be a starter this year – or at least get a very big chance at the job – but he has yet to play this preseason. Seeing him perform would help Portland better understand what they have in him and how well he could gel with the starting unit and other lineups.

Fingers crossed he feels good enough to go against the Suns.

More backcourt dominance

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have looked ready for the regular season to start this October. Both are averaging more than 13 points on better than 50 percent shooting.

Smother them around the arc – doesn’t matter, they’re hitting it. Force them to dribble – watch them hit a floater. Hack them around the basket – thank you very much for the three-point play.

The Blazers best players are ready to ball. And if they look like this in limited minutes in games that don’t matter, I can’t wait to see what they do starting October 18.

Watch for all these things and more in Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns, tonight at 7:00 P.S.T.