Blazer Beef
We have to get to it. This moment wasn’t just the lowlight of the Blazers season thus far but it might take the cake for the biggest lowlight in the NBA this season.
A clerical error kept Blazers guard CJ McCollum from playing in Portland’s 109-98 loss Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers and found out only moments before he was supposed to be announced in the starting lineup.
Head coach Terry Stotts took the blame for the situation and even though there was plenty of intrigue about the Blazers trying to change the infamous lineup card.
Doc Rivers drew the ire of Blazers fans for reportedly not allowing the Blazers to change the lineup after submitting the flawed one. However, after the game, Rivers aptly squared the blame on the people responsible for the mishap.
“That’s not on us. That’s on them,” Rivers said, and he was absolutely right. If Rivers had allowed McCollum to play when given the option to have him not play, Clippers fans (yes, they exist) would have blasted him.
Blazer Bravo
Their win last Sunday night against the Denver Nuggets was their only win of the week, but the highlight was seeing Damian Lillard’s return from injury.
Although the Blazers lost three straight games at home since he’s returned after going a surprising 4-3 without him, the Blazers needed Lillard to keep them alive in the playoff race, where they’re starting to fade.
Lillard really looked to be all the way back when he put up 40 points and 10 assists in a loss to the mighty Golden State Warriors. It was the first 40-10 game by a Blazer in the history of the Moda Center.
By The Numbers
29 — The Blazers are 29th out of 30 NBA teams in total fouls committed.
20 — Although the Blazers have increased their possessions per game, their league ranking in pace has actually slipped from 20th to 12th. The league is playing at a much faster pace.
The Week Ahead
Wednesday vs. Utah Jazz (7 p.m., CSN): This is a big game for Portland’s playoff positioning with the Jazz 2 1/2 games ahead of the for the eighth seed in the West. A win would secure at least a split of the season series.
Friday at Brooklyn Nets (4:30 p.m., CSN): The Nets fired head coach Lionel Hollins and general manager Billy King stepped down from the position on Sunday.
Saturday at Philadelphia 76ers (4:30 p.m., CSN): The 76ers have gone 3-6 over their last nine games since trading for point guard Ish Smith and hiring former Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni as an assistant. Should we call it “win-sanity” in Philly?
