Wizards at Trail Blazers
All-Star guard Damian Lillard could return to action when the Portland Trail Blazers host the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Lillard has missed the past six games due to a groin injury and Portland has gone 2-4 without its leader.
Shooting guard CJ McCollum has been superb during Lillard's absence by averaging 33.3 points and twice compiling a season best of 41 points. "That's what CJ does, he does it day in and day out," guard Gary Trent Jr. told reporters of McCollum. "You see him work on it every day in practice so when it comes to game time, it looks as effortless and as flawless as it does, it's no surprise." Washington star guard Bradley Beal scored 35 points on Tuesday but the Wizards dug themselves a 27-point halftime deficit before falling 133-126 to the host Sacramento Kings. Beal said coach Scott Brooks strongly admonished the team at halftime of a loss that dropped them 4 1/2 games behind the Orlando Magic for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
TIME: 10 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS Washington, NBCS Northwest
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (22-38): Beal has scored 25 or more points in a franchise-record 19 consecutive contests and has topped 40 six times during the stretch - including outings of 55 and 53. He will be looking to score 30 or more points in his 10th consecutive road game as he continues to be fueled by being an All-Star Game snub. Forward Davis Bertans also has a hot hand and is 14-of-22 from 3-point range while averaging 23.5 over the past two games.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (27-35): Trent complemented McCollum's 41-point outing with 24 of his own as Portland rolled to a 130-107 road win over the Magic on Monday. The victory was just the second in eight games for the Trail Blazers and marked Trent's third straight outing of 15 or more points. "Gary has had a really good season and he's gotten better as the season has gone along," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "We need it, frankly. Without Damian, we needed him. But now when Damian comes back, he's gained a lot of confidence and I continue to say about Gary is that as much as you look at his shot-making, his defense has kept him on the court more often than not."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. C Hassan Whiteside recorded 23 points, 21 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Trail Blazers registered a 122-103 road win over the Wizards on Jan. 3.
2. Washington rookie F Rui Hachimura scored 20 points against Sacramento for his seventh straight double-digit performance.
3. The contest begins a stretch in which Portland plays seven of eight games at home.