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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 takeaways from the first 5 games

By Stevie Cozens

Aug 22, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) celebrates after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half in game three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) celebrates after scoring a three pointer against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half in game three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Damian Lillard is getting better from game to game

Damian Lillard is slowly easing into his work as the season fires up. He is still averaging 25 points a game and 6.6 assists through five games, but he doesn’t have the usual efficiency we have come to expect with his shooting numbers.

So far, he is just shooting 42 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. He hasn’t a bad start to the year, but he is slowly easing into his work.

That the Blazers have won three games without Lillard being at his best, is a great sign. The main thing for Dame, is his three-point shot hasn’t been dropping. Two games ago, he went 0 from 8 in the loss to the LA Clippers, but then he had his best game of the season next up in the win over the Golden State Warriors.

Dame has started seasons slowly in the past, but there is never a reason to be concerned.

Jusuf Nurkic has also started the season slowly

Jusuf Nurkic has started the season slowly as well, but for him, it’s because he is acclimatizing to being back in the NBA and playing on a nightly basis.

Nurk has had some good games, but has struggled for consistency as he works his way back into game shape. He has played great physical defense every night and was a big part of the win over the Lakers.

His passing has been on show right away, as he connects well with the likes of CJ McCollum on back door cuts.

This season, Nurk is averaging just 24 minutes a night, with counting stats of 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with 3 assists.

Enes Kanter has been a great backup though, so Nurkic can take his time adjusting to the new season. Nurkic is the third-best player on this Blazers team, but he doesn’t need to peak just yet.