National Basketball Association

New Lineup Seems to Be Working for Blazers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:54 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Ty Delbridge/FanSided via Rip City Project

The Month of January was bitter-sweet for the Portland Trail Blazers going 8-7. However, the lineup change seems to keep games competitive

On January 20th at Philadelphia, Coach Terry Stotts inserted a new starting lineup.

He moved Moe Harkless, and Al-Faruouq Aminu to the bench, and added Evan Turner, Noah Vonleh into the starting lineup.

Since that lineup change, the Blazers have gone 4-2 and both losses came down to final shots.

The Blazers have scored 107.8 Points per game, but allowed 110 points per game. They have a 106.6 offensive rating and 108.5 defensive rating, averaging 42.7 total rebounds, 22.2 assists, 13.7 turnovers, 7.1 steals.

The new starting lineup of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Mason Plumlee, Turner and Vonleh have been good. Their offensive rating is 102.1, but their defensive rating is great at 86.4.

Turner gives the Blazers a good back court defender to start the game. He handles the ball for our guards to get open off the ball. Vonleh hustles hard and fights for rebounds. In essence, the two new additions are giving Portland some different looks that teams haven’t seen yet.

Also, the Blazers have a lot of firepower coming off the bench. With Harkless, Aminu, Allen Crabbe and Ed Davis. Turner no longer has to focus on being a go to scorer in the 2nd unit. McCollum can take over, and has been when being the facilitator of the 2nd unit. It’s overall a strong rotation on paper, that if consistent could be deadly.

The Blazers have found some success in this new starting lineup and it could just be the spark this team needed to turn this season into the right direction.

 Top Five Lineups of January

#1) Lillard, McCollum, Turner, Aminu, Plumlee.( 8 games, 47 minutes. 112.7 offensive rating, 83 defensive rating)

#2) McCollum, Turner, Crabbe, Harkless, Davis.( 5 games, 35 minutes. 109.8 offensive rating, 99.8 defensive rating)

#3) Lillard, Crabbe, Aminu, Harkless, Meyers Leonard ( 3 games, 15 minutes.120.8 offensive rating, 93.3 defensive rating)

#4) McCollum,Turner, Crabbe, Aminu, Plumlee( 6 games, 15 minutes.145.9 offensive rating, 117.8 defensive rating)

#5) Lillard, McCollum, Harkless, Aminu, Plumlee.( 6 games, 99 minutes. 108.3 offensive rating, 100.4 defensive rating.

Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0). Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

WINS

Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Memphis Grizzles, Charlotte Hornets, Minnesota Timberwolves & 3-0 against the LA Lakers.

LOSSES

Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Charlotte Hornets, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Wizards & 0-2 vs. Golden State Warriors

All Stats Per NBA.com

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