Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were once considered one of the best backcourts in the NBA. As two scoring guards who shared a profound respect for each other, Dame and CJ were thick as thieves in Portland until McCollum was traded to the Pelicans as part of a big shakeup.
And while CJ has already been back to Moda Center since becoming a Pelican, tonight will make his first time playing against Lillard.
“I think the first time was more emotional than this one,” McCollum said via Christian Clark of NOLA.com. “I have been gone for a while. I have sold my house and everything. It will be another game where I want to go compete and give ourselves a chance. It will be nice to play against Dame. But we also guarded each other for nine years in practice.”
Interestingly enough, despite being on opposing teams, Dame and CJ are in remarkably similar situations. Like Dame, CJ is running point for a broken and battered team with playoff aspirations. And, like Dame, CJ knows that a win tonight will have huge implications on the standings and which teams will secure a playoff spot when it’s all said and done.
It’s hard to say for certain what will happen tonight, but neither team will be at full strength in this crucial Western Conference battle.
Pelicans In Free-Fall After Scorching Hot Start
We all know the Trail Blazers are nowhere near contention as they are presently constricted, but everybody was expecting better from the Pels this season.
With CJ, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and others, New Orleans looked like a legitimate dark horse contender just a few months ago when they were first in the West.
But since Williamson went down with an injury that could sideline him for the season, the team has completely collapsed, and not even McCollum has been able to stop the bleeding.
Tonight, in Portland, the Pels will be desperate for a victory. But snatching a win from the hottest player in the league is never an easy thing to do… and CJ knows firsthand how dangerous Dame can be when he’s at the top of his game.
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