Trail Blazers at Raptors
CJ McCollum has quite a performance to follow when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Toronto Raptors on Friday. McCollum scored a career-best 50 points in Wednesday's 124-108 victory over Chicago, with his assault beginning with a franchise-record 28-point first quarter.
The Trail Blazers have won a season-best four straight games, and the latest victory was highlighted by McCollum's scoring spree - which he accomplished in just three quarters of action. "A lot of elite players score 50 points, it shows that you're a really unique scorer and have a lot of abilities," McCollum told reporters. "And to do it in three quarters is just a credit to our staff for helping develop me, hard work, teammates sharing, setting screens, sacrificing a lot of stuff." The Trail Blazers have won seven of their last eight games as they prepare to face the Raptors, who are opening a four-game homestand after suffering a 122-119 loss at Washington on Thursday. "I thought we were playing a little bit too loose and not moving the ball," Toronto coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We got good shots, but we didn't get great shots."
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Northwest (Portland), Sportsnet One (Toronto)
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (29-22): McCollum is the seventh different Portland player to record a 50-point effort, with franchise icon Clyde Drexler and star point guard Damian Lillard being among the others. "I recognized that feeling," Lillard told reporters of McCollum's stellar show. "I saw the rhythm that he was playing with, and at that point, it was just my job to make sure he got the ball in his hands as many times as possible. He just kept rolling." Lillard scored just 13 points against Chicago after topping 20 in each of his previous 10 games - a stretch during which he averaged 27.4.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (34-16): All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January, opened the new month by registering 23 points and six assists in the loss to the Wizards. DeRozan typically has fared well versus the Trail Blazers as he has recorded a string of 11 consecutive 20-point performances and averaged 35.5 points in his last two home appearances against them. Kyle Lowry erupted for 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting against Washington after averaging 10.8 on 14-of-46 shooting over his previous four games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Raptors have won the last five meetings, including a 99-85 victory at Portland on Oct. 30 in which DeRozan scored 25 points.
2. Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic (quadriceps) is probable after departing Wednesday's victory.
3. Toronto swingman CJ Miles (knee) is expected to miss his third straight game.