In the first game after the trade deadline, against the Orlando Magic, Damian Lillard will be getting some much-needed rest, while newly acquired Norman Powell will make his Portland Trail Blazers debut. Jusuf Nurkic also returns from injury after a two-month layoff.
Portland Trail Blazers: Norman Powell to start, Damian Lillard resting.
Lillard has had very little rest in the last two seasons. When you consider that this season, he took on full guard duties and a massive minute load when CJ McCollum got injured in January, he needs this game off. Lillard also played in the All-Star game. He is nursing some knee soreness too.
The Magic have recently blown up their franchise, with Aaron Gordon, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic all being traded away for assets. This game should be a gimme for the Blazers, and is a perfect opportunity to rest players and bring in additions.
Now McCollum is back, he will start at point guard in Lillard’s place, and the newly acquired Powell will take the two-guard spot. Powell has been on a tear in the month of March, averaging 25 points a game on 45 percent shooting from three. With the spaced floor the Blazers operate with, he should fit in seamlessly to the offense.
In some other excellent news for the Blazers, Nurkic will return on a minutes limitation.
Stotts said Nurkic will play in 5 minute shifts as he works his way back into game shape after being out since Jan. 14 https://t.co/11fJqKS7l6
— Jason Quick (@jwquick) March 26, 2021
The Athletic’s beat writer Jason Quick had all three pieces of news this morning, but Nurk’s return is maybe the most important with the flagging defense. Ranked in the bottom five of the league for the entire season so far, Nurk can provide the rim protection and turnover forcing presence that has been missed so much over the last 2 years since he first broke his leg.
Though it will just be in five-minute spurts, Nurkic will make a difference right away on both ends.
Tonight’s game is at 1.00 pm PT.