Blazer Beef
The Trail Blazers were 2-1 on the week through Saturday and have put together impressive showings. But their Achilles’ heel over a productive week of basketball has been turnovers.
In two of Portland’s games over the past week — against the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers — the Blazers recorded 41 turnovers. That’s at least one area where head coach Terry Stotts wants them to improve.
“I wasn’t pleased with our turnovers,” Stotts said. “We had three turnovers in the first two minutes of the game and Philly, they’re number one in creating turnovers. You like to try to limit the opponents strengths, and I didn’t think we did a good job with that.”
The Rockets and Sixers are both near the top of the league in forcing turnovers. The Blazers have put wins together but they still have room to grow when it comes to limiting the effectiveness of their opponent’s strengths.
Blazer Bravo
Damian Lillard definitely gets top billing in this week’s Bravo. He continues to create his own world where it’s “Lillard Time” all the time, in tense moments. He scored 40 points and bested Russell Westbrook, whom some have touted as an MVP candidate.
Over the past five games, Lillard is averaging 29.2 points, over seven assists, four rebounds and a steal while shooting 45 percent from the 3-point line and 50 percent from the field.
Especially with forward LaMarcus Aldridge in and out of the lineup, the Blazers have needed every ounce of Lillard’s greatness to have the league’s second-best record at 24-7.
Also, congratulations to Blazers center Chris Kaman and his wife Emilie on the birth of their first son Barrett earlier this week.
By The Numbers
175 — As of Dec. 28, Portland’s backcourt duo of Wesley Matthews and Damian Lillard have made a combined 175 3’s, which is more than any duo in the NBA.
2 — The Blazers’ opponents have had the second-lowest effective field goal percentage, which combines 3-point shooting with 2-point shooting, in the NBA. The Blazers also only have two games this week.
23 — Nicolas Batum’s 3-point percentage remains in the low-20’s. He’s never shot below 35 percent from 3 in his previous six seasons.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday vs. Toronto Raptors (7 p.m., CSN) — The Raptors lead the Eastern Conference with a 23-7 record. Point guard Kyle Lowry has been the driving force behind Toronto’s second-ranked offense.
Saturday vs. Atlanta Hawks (7 p.m., CSN) — Three of the league’s best 3-point shooters will be on display Saturday when Atlanta’s Kyle Korver, second in the NBA in 3-pointers made, comes to town.
