PF: Zach Collins vs. Kristaps Porziņģis.
We see Dallas’ 7’3” unicorn and raise them Portland’s seven-foot bulldog (go Zags). The season’s return will see big man Zach Collins in uniform for the first time in over nine months, following surgery to repair a dislocated left shoulder.
Coincidentally, Collins injured his shoulder while playing Dallas, giving us some precedent as to what to expect come August 11. Like Portland, Dallas can play multiple seven-footers on the floor at once, largely thanks to the mobility and shooting ability of Kristaps Porziņģis. While both he and Collins have alternated between the four and five positions, their similar set of skills seems to serve their respective teams best while playing power forward.
Despite Portland clinching a close 121-119 victory in Collins’ last game, Porziņģis lit the floor up, scoring 32 points, going 3/10 beyond the arc in the process. Prior to Collins going down late in the third quarter, he and Hassan Whiteside had shared duties guarding Porziņģis, to varying degrees of success. While neither could shut the All-Star down in the paint, Collins was able to stay tighter to him on the perimeter.
Because of Collins’ prolonged absence from the game, it’s difficult to say what his abilities will be upon return. However, based on gradual improvements he had been making since arriving in Portland, his footwork and three-point shooting will hopefully be more durable than ever. Of course, Collins will have a limited time to find his stride and make an immediate positive impact. Fortunately, Portland’s game against Dallas is their seventh of eight, giving the big guy time to settle into his role before taking on what is sure to be one of his most significant challenges of the remaining regular season.