The Portland Trail Blazers need Evan Turner to play better

Evan Turner plays a major role in improving this Portland Trail Blazers team.

Evan Turner has struggled to score for the Portland Trail Blazers this season, particularly in the last two games.

Turner, a former No. 2 overall pick by the 76ers, was one of the main reasons the Celtics made the playoffs in 2015-16. The Trail Blazers signed him to a four-year, $70 million deal because of his overall versatility and ability to play different positions and contribute off the bench, but his performance in the last two games has been poor.

The Trail Blazers relied too much on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in those contests. They needed more from Evan Turner, who is expected to be valuable off the bench. Turner is supposed to be a solid scoring option, the team’s sixth man, someone who can handle the ball and generate offense by attacking the basket, hitting shots or setting up teammates.

Turner has always been a decent rebounder, and he can still impact games by leading a strong second unit, but he really struggled against the Rockets and Grizzlies. He led the Trail Blazers with six assists but he scored just two points on 1-for-3 shooting in 19 minutes against the Rockets, finishing with a plus−minus of -17. His contribution against the Grizzlies was also disappointing, as he was just 2-for-6 from the field for four points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. He ended with a -8 plus−minus.

The last two losses are not Evan Turner’s fault, but this team will not go far with him making only one or two baskets a night. Turner has to prove why Portland trusted in him two years ago.

The talent is there. But I believe he has a few years of solid production remaining but he has to embrace his role to fully realize it.

Evan Turner is averaging 7.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 25.9 minutes over 27 games, making 45.8 percent of his shots and a career-worst 13.8 percent from 3-point range. His 7.9 points per game are his lowest in three seasons with the Trail Blazers, and he hasn’t averaged under eight points per game since his rookie season with the 76ers in 2010-11. His problem to score was evident in the last five games, as he made just 14 of 33 field goals, averaging 6.6 points in 24.8 minutes.

Portland needs Turner’s scoring off the bench. The team doesn’t expect him to go off for 20 points or more every night but he has to make shots and lead the reserves while the starters rest.

Every game matters and hosting a Raptors team coming off blowout road wins against the Clippers and Warriors (without Kawhi Leonard) won’t be easy, so the Trail Blazers need all the offense they can get and Evan Turner has to step up on Friday.