----- CJ McCollum scores 30 of his game-high 35 points as the Portland Trail Blazers top the LA Clippers 125-104 Tuesday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
For one night, CJ McCollum was the brightest star in Hollywood.
McCollum scored 30 of his game-high 35 points in the second half including 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Trail Blazers got a much needed win on the road 125-104 over the LA Clippers at Staples Center in LA. McCollum connected on 12 of his 21 shots including 6-for-11 from three-point range. He scored 16-straight points in the fourth as the Blazers closed the game on a 30-10 run.
I don’t ever get gun-shy," McCollum said. “I’ve missed a lot of shots in my career. You’ve just got to stay confident, stay aggressive, know who you are. I’m very comfortable with who I am as a basketball player and a person. So I just got out there and try to be my best self and live with the results.”
McCollum had plenty of help. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for this 31st double-double of the season, and Damian Lillard added 20 points and 12 assists. Lillard is now just three-points shy of moving past LaMarcus Aldridge into second on the Trail Blazers all-time scoring list.
Enes Kanter added 14 points and nine rebounds off the bench, Seth Curry scored 10, and Jake Layman chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
With the win, Portland (41-26) pulled even in the standings with Oklahoma City and to within a game of the Houston Rockets (42-25). The Blazers own the tiebreaker against the Rockets, but were swept this season by the Thunder.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will travel to New Orleans to meet the Pelicans on Friday. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM.
Chad's Take- McCollum's 4th quarter was special. Can't wait to hit the DVR for a second look.