Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from nail biter win over Dallas

CJ is back, and better than ever

After beginning the season averaging just 15 points through two games, Blazer fans were perhaps getting a little impatient for the real CJ McCollum to turn up. Someone was going to have to experience his outbreak, and Dallas played the part of McCollum’s unlucky first victim.

35 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a lesson in the art of the mid-range. All in a typical nights work for McCollum, as he torched the Mavericks to bring the Blazers home. With Lillard scoring just two points in the first half, the Blazers needed their second elite guard to lead the charge, and CJ did just that.

There’s times where his mid-range doesn’t even look close to missing, and McCollum had it going tonight. 35 points with just 1 three-pointer made is rare in today’s NBA for a guard, but there aren’t many NBA players with the offensive arsenal that McCollum has to offer.

Just look at this bucket, man. There’s few in the league that can create his own shot like CJ can, and this video proves it. Dallas play good defense on him, and Porzingis is waiting under the rim to pounce on any weak layups. CJ recognizes this, stops on a dime, and swivels to hit an arcing shot over Dorian Finney-Smith.

Pipped as a potential All-Star this year, CJ will have to keep this sort of level up if he wants to earn consideration in a stacked Western Conference. More importantly, if the Blazers want to top last seasons efforts, these sorts of nights must also becomes regular. McCollum was the difference maker tonight, and seems to have found his rhythm.

The Portland Trail Blazers are back Monday night, as they continue their road-trip with a visit to the San Antonio Spurs.