PORTLAND — The Trail Blazers officially welcomed back starting center Robin Lopez back into the lineup Tuesday.
Head coach Terry Stotts confirmed that Lopez would start Tuesday against the Utah Jazz after having his first “legitimate practice” Monday in Tualatin, Ore. It is a huge lift to the Blazers who had lost eight of their last 10 games going into Tuesday’s game.
“What Robin brings, is not only a defensive presence,” Stotts said. “I think that’s been pretty obvious. But I think our offense has suffered as well. His offensive rebounding is a big part of what we do, his screening, his ruling to the basket, it just. He’s a vital part of what we do at both ends of the court.”
Lopez has not played since injuring his right hand against the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 15. But Lopez has stayed around the team.
Stotts said that he planned for Lopez to play “significant minutes” Tuesday — although not necessarily his average of about 28 a game before his injury.
Freeland’s return not soon
While Lopez’s return is a big lift, it appears that Joel Freeland will be out a little longer.
Freeland said he won’t be back for “at least a few weeks” prior to Tuesday’s game. He’s been shooting, which is progress since before the Blazers last road trip.
He also said he has another MRI scheduled later in the month.
Defending the 3
The Blazers’ opponents have the worst 3-point percentage in the league. That is a major part of Portland’s approach to defense. But during the last 10 games as they have struggled to win, opponents are shooting 39 percent from long range.
The Blazers have not been as tight when it comes to defending the 3-point line lately, according to their coach.
“I think we can defend it better,” Stotts said. “I think we can close out better. I think we can contest better. Teams obviously are making shots but I think we can have an impact on them as well.”
To Stotts, this has been a key to their recent struggles.
“We’ve had a bad stretch in the last 10 games,” Stotts said. “I think that’s been one of our weak points is that we haven’t taken away the 3 as much as we had during the first part of the season.”
