The effortless long-distance scoring …

The effortless long-distance scoring drops jaws and raises brows, but with a healthy group around him featuring more weapons, Lillard is averaging 11.3 assists. Center Jusuf Nurkic has rediscovered his pick-and-roll chemistry with Lillard immediately, power forward Zach Collins is protecting the rim, and small forward Carmelo Anthony is back in his old position, spotting up and providing complementary scoring. “I feel like we might’ve been in the Finals last year if we had him,” Lillard said of Anthony. “Just another person out there that when we’re getting trapped and double-teamed that they have to account for and respect, but it is what it is.”