C.J. McCollum explodes for 37 points in Blazers blowout of Pelicans
The Portland Trail Blazers entered this season with serious questions about which players would take over the scoring responsibilities once assumed by departed mainstays like LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews, and Nicolas Batum. One of the players tabbed for a larger role was scoring guard C.J. McCollum, who last season averaged just 6.8 points in 15.7 minutes per game (but did manage 15.7 points per 36 minutes). Irrespective of stats, though, McCollum has the talent to emerge as a capable second option next to All-Star Damian Lillard.
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Wednesday’s season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans figures to raise expectations for McCollum in 2015-16. The 24-year-old McCollum put up 22 first-quarter points on his way to 37 for the game, finishing at 14-of-22 from the field and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. That total shatters his previous regular-season career high of 27 (from the final week of last season) and his overall high of 33 (from Game 5 of the 2015 first round, or his last competitive game).
McCollum also added six rebounds, an assist, one steal, and zero turnovers in a team-high 37 minutes. Lillard added 21 points (8-of-21 FG) and 11 assists as the Blazers dominated the Pelicans 112-94 at Moda Center.
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It was a promising start to the season for the Blazers, who lost four starters this offseason and figure to undergo a transitional season after two-straight playoff appearances. To be sure, the Pelicans were at a disadvantage with just 10 healthy players on the second night of a road back-to-back following a contest that ended after 10:30 p.m. the previous day. But the Blazers seized the opportunity and showed that they may have substituted improved depth for their lost star power. We will get another look at their progress in Friday’s road game at the Phoenix Suns.
The good news for the Pelicans is that they will get two days off before Saturday’s home opener. The bad news is that they have to play the Golden State Warriors for the second time in three games. Oh well — at least Anthony Davis bounced back from a poor opening night with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting.
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Eric Freeman is a writer for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
