Portland Trail Blazers: Starting lineup impresses in first half of scrimmage vs. Pacers

The Portland Trail Blazers starting lineup looked polished during the first half of their opening scrimmage game against the Indiana Pacers. Here were a few quick takeaways.

For the first time in 137 days, the Portland Trail Blazers took to the floor for organized basketball. And given those ramifications, it would have been understandable if players needed some time to shake off rust.

Apparently, the Blazers’ starting five didn’t quite get the memo, despite Hassan Whiteside’s scratch at the top of the hour.

The Blazers rolled out an opening group of Jusuf Nurkić, Zach Collins, Carmelo Anthony, CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard. Anchored by the return of their two defensive stalwarts, the Blazers held to just 14-of-40 shooting (35.0 percent) in the first half, and jumped out to a 29-20 lead after the first quarter.

While the second unit wasn’t able to offer much resistance in holding that lead, there were more than enough positives worth taking away after Portland’s first half of play in more than four months.

Collins and Nurkić were especially of note. This was Nurkić’s first game in 16 months, and Collins’ first appearance since Oct. 27, and he picked up where he left off as both a rim protector, and added onto a new wrinkle of his game.

The single assist won’t do it justice, but Collins displayed see-over-the-top ability as a passer from the top of the key, as well as a facilitator out of the high post.

Nurkić looked to be in midseason form with his ability to defend the paint. As a group, the Blazers had five blocks in just the first half. He was also able to show off his polished back-to-basket game.

As for the rest of the team, Wenyen Gabriel, Mario Hezonja and Gary Trent Jr. led a second unit that combined for 16 points.

The Blazers have a 45-43 lead after one half of play, and will look to open scrimmages both injury-free, and with a 1-0 record after tonight’s game.