Damian Lillard Bringing 'Best Version' of Himself: 5 Questions Ahead of Blazers vs. Magic
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic returns to the court tonight to face Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.
To learn more about the Blazers' current state of affairs, we spoke with Blazer's Edge contributor Marlow Ferguson Jr.
1. Damian Lillard has been one of the best players in the NBA lately, scoring 71 points last week against the Rockets. Is this the best version of Lillard you have seen in his career?
From an individual standpoint, it’d be difficult to argue that 2022-23 Damian Lillard isn’t the best version of him. A few weeks ago, Lillard discussed his added emphasis on finishing around the rim, and the results back that up. He’s shooting a career-best around the rim (67.3 percent), from midrange (50.5 percent), and his 3-point shooting, rebounding and playmaking numbers are about where they’ve historically been. This year’s iteration of Lillard may not get its just due, given the win-loss record (29-34), but to watch him play is to watch a superstar seeking to put his team on his back night-after-night. If it isn’t his best season, it’s right there with his 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
2. Apart from Lillard, which player from the Blazers has surprised you the most this season?
There are a number of different ways one could go with this question, but Shaedon Sharpe has as strong of a case as anyone on this roster. There aren’t many “pleasant surprises” on this year’s average-to-below-average team, and Sharpe isn’t necessarily lighting the NBA on fire. But, for a 19-year-old who never suited up in college and was deemed to be more of a “long-term project,” Sharpe has had moments where he’s looked more NBA-ready than expected. Like any rookie, he has moments where he looks overwhelmed and outmatched — often on defense — but those close to Portland have said that they assumed it would take him a half-season to even crack the rotation. Postseason or no postseason, the 1,266 minutes the 19-year-old has clocked thus far will be invaluable to his future progress.
3. What's one thing people should know about the Blazers that cannot be found in a box score?
One trend that shows itself, especially when they don’t have players who’ve logged tons of minutes together, is that they aren’t afraid to throw out that zone defense at one of the NBA’s highest rates. Like a signature move for a professional wrestler, Chauncey Billups isn’t shy about using it, be it to throw off an opponent’s rhythm, slow the pace down, etc. The results are often mixed, and as of late, teams have been able to have their way against it. For a team like the Magic — both the NBA’s tallest team and also one of the least-accurate 3-point shooting teams — it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them go to it early and often to keep Orlando out of the paint and out of the middle. They’ve had the No. 1 offense, but the No. 30 defense over their last 15 games, so expect them to get creative with schemes and looks.
4. If the Blazers win tomorrow night, what would be the reason?
The most logical reason would be that Damian Lillard had “one of those nights,” and found three or four capable sidekicks. That, or they found some semblance of defensive identity. They’ve allowed 110+ points in 16 consecutive games now; the Magic have only surpassed that number in seven of their last 16 games. If there were ever a time for the Blazers to get the ball rolling on that end, it would be against a Magic team that ranks No. 28 out of 30 in terms of points per game (110.8). Orlando comes in slightly more vulnerable than usual, too, enduring their own battle with injuries.
5. What's your prediction for tomorrow night's game?
Blazers 114, Magic 108. These two teams should play one another a little bit more closely than anticipated. The Magic are returning home from a successful three-game road trip and should be positioned to make a push towards an Eastern Conference Play-In spot. Though, it did take the Blazers’ worst 3-point shooting night of the season (6-of-35, 17.1 percent) for them to fall in the 109-106 loss back on Jan. 10. Quickly running out of time, the Blazers should buckle down and get back in the win column in a competitive battle on Sunday night.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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