Portland Trail Blazers starting shooting guard C.J. McCollum didn't play on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns due to a left ankle sprain but the sharpshooter is probable for Saturday's home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Blazers say CJ McCollum (left ankle sprain) is probable for Saturdayâs game vs the Timberwolves.
â Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) December 7, 2018
The Blazers didn't need McCollum's services versus the lowly Suns as Portland won by a final score 108-86 to improve to 14-11 on the season. However, the team will undoubtedly need him against the Timberwolves, who have one of the best defenses in the NBA since the Jimmy Butler trade, with a defensive rating of 101.3 in their last 10 games (per NBA Advanced Stats).
In 24 games this season, McCollum is averaging 21.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The 27-year-old is shooting 46.4 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Since trading Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Timberwolves are 9-3. Minnesota and Portland have already played twice this year. Each team won on its home floor. McCollum is averaging 17.0 points in the two games this season versus the Timberwolves and shooting 50.0 percent from the floor.
McCollum will likely see multiple defenders on Saturday, ranging from small forward Robert Covington, point guard Derrick Rose, swingman Andrew Wiggins and possibly even Jeff Teague. To beat a hot Timberwolves squad, the Blazers will need McCollum to be his usual productive self.
Follow Us
Subscribe