The Portland Trail Blazers went 3-1 this week, starting off with a loss to the Phoenix Suns before picking up a pair of wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
This week saw the debut of Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija’s return from injury, but it was Toumani Camara who was the star, and he earned Blazer of the Week.
Camara averaged 16.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game this week. He also shot 53.3% from the field and 48.4% from behind the arc. Camara was a solid contributor in the week’s first three games, but he was downright otherworldly in the win over the 76ers. He set a career-high in both points — 30 — and three-pointers made — 8 — while also playing great defense on All-Star Tyrese Maxey.
Camara has struggled from behind the arc for stretches this season, but his on-ball defense has remained a massive strength. That makes weeks where he shoots this well look that much better. When he is in rhythm from deep, he becomes one of the NBA’s best 3-and-D players.
As the Blazers become healthy and see the full returns of Henderson and Avdija, the catch-and-shoot ability of Camara will be on full display as a release-valve option down the stretch of the season.
This week’s honorable mention is Donovan Clingan.
Clingan was incredible this week. He averaged 15.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 5.8 offensive rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He also shot 57.1% from the field and made 8 of his 17 shots from behind the arc, good for 47.1% from deep. In two games against a Grizzlies team lacking a true center, Clingan was able to impose his will on the glass. He totaled 36 rebounds, including 15 offensive, in those two games alone. His presence in the paint as both the last line of defense and as a rebounder has been incredibly important for Portland this season. That presence was a major factor in picking up these three wins this week.
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