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Trail Blazers: CJ and Carmelo step up to deliver decisive victory over… Detroit?

By Austin Carroll

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers takes a shot against Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers takes a shot against Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons in the fourth quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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While we can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing this losing skid has ended, the Trail Blazers should not find comfort in their latest win over Detroit.

Last night brought a sense of finality to the Portland Trail Blazers’ three-game losing streak, which seems to have sucked out all the positive momentum the team carried into All-Star Weekend following several crucial victories over Western Conference contenders.

Narrowly defeating the Detroit Pistons at home at a one-possession margin of 107-104, Rip City might have more questions left to answer now than ever before.

It took a combined 73 points from the pair of CJ McCollum and Carmelo Anthony to lift the team over this Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond-less Pistons squad, who now face their own six-game losing streak. The tandem delivered their lethal offense efficiently, shooting a combined 26-for-46 (56.5 percent) from the field and an even more impressive 11-for-20 (55 percent) from 3-point range.

This trial by fire clearly demonstrates the deep bonds this team has formed in such a short span of time.

Don’t be mistaken though, McCollum wasn’t just propping up his teammates on Twitter. CJ recorded a career-high 12 assists as the primary playmaker against Detroit. Better yet, he only committed one turnover and finally displayed glimpses of becoming the table-setter Portland has desperately wanted him to be.

Despite CJ and Carmelo’s heroics, however, I can’t help but feel a bitter taste in my mouth following this victory.

Much like the Trail Blazers, the Pistons are a severely undermanned roster in the midst of a transition period without their stars. Detroit has lost 12 of its last 14 games and appears to be punting on the season as a whole. Still, they hung on and made the Trail Blazers fight tooth and nail to eke out a win.

Aside from Christian Wood, no player on the Pistons submitted a particularly dominating performance either. This should be a huge cause for concern moving forward for Portland. Suffice to say, true contenders don’t get beat by the likes of Brandon Knight and Langston Galloway — whether they’re missing their star player or not.

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Considering the starting lineup averaged 37.6 minutes played last night, it’s hard to point fingers at anyone else. After establishing a 16-point lead upon conclusion of the first quarter, the Trail Blazers seemed intent on giving Detroit every chance possible to climb back into the game. Their fatigue and exhaustion was evident early on and was most clearly seen by Portland’s pathetic 13-point outing in the second quarter.

That being said, the starters probably only have to play so much in the first place because the second unit is borderline unplayable.

Wenyen Gabriel and Mario Hezonja should not be seeing minutes for any actual playoff team at this moment in time. Caleb Swanigan did not play a single minute even in the face of a nine-man rotation. And Anfernee Simons can’t seem to snap out of this February slump that’s seen him averaging 7.7 points per game and a horrid 39.7 percent shooting from the field.

For these reasons, it’s hard to feel particularly good about a win that should hopefully signal that this team’s vitals haven’t gone completely cold. It’s quite apparent that this team needs Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic back immediately, lest they risk making an appearance in the draft lottery.

Next. 3 adjustments Portland needs to make to end the year. dark

Portland’s next test comes tomorrow as the Trail Blazers take on the surging Boston Celtics at home. If they have the fortitude to weather the storm has yet to be seen, but I believe we’ll have our answers very soon.