The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Brooklyn Nets in blowout fashion, with a final score of 134-99. Portland took care of business at home, clinching a spot in the Play-In Tournament in the process.
Given the lopsided nature of the win, they would've done so regardless of the play of Toumani Camara. Still, it's a promising sign that Portland's wing finished with a career-high 35 points, shooting an impressive 10-of-12 from the field and 9-of-11 from beyond the arc. Camara's only two misses were heat checks after the game was well out of hand.
Toumani Camara has become the X-Factor for Portland
The Blazers absolutely need this version of Camara down the stretch. He's suddenly become their X-Factor, as the splits in wins and losses are too drastic to ignore.
In wins, Camara is averaging 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 49.0% from the field and 39.2% from three. In losses, the playmaking and rebounding numbers remain similar, but the scoring efficiency takes a significant hit, down to 11.3 points on 37.3% from the field and 31.6% from deep.
Portland extended Camara to a four-year, $82 million deal before the season. The good news is that it was a safe investment, as Camara has proven to be one of their most reliable options, given his underrated availability and safe floor that comes with his elite defense. But whether that extension truly adds value depends on the offensive end.
Compared to last season, Camara hasn't shown much progress in terms of expanding his offensive arsenal. But the Blazers have been forced to rely on him in an increased role as they have been one of the most injured teams this season.
Unfortunately, that still applies down the stretch as they look to end a four-year playoff drought without Shaedon Sharpe, their top-usage player and second-highest scorer. They'll need other players to step up in Sharpe's absence to help take some of the offensive burden off of Deni Avdija. While they can't expect this type of performance from Camara on a nightly basis, it gives Portland something for their two-way wing to build off of.
The Blazers have nine games remaining, two of which could directly determine play-in seeding with matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the meantime, Camara's next opportunity to build off this career night will come Wednesday at the Moda Center against the Milwaukee Bucks.