Mid-Week Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Portland Trail Blazers

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 10: Jeff Teague #44 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 10, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Trail Blazers 118-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Point Guard: Jeff Teague vs. Damian Lillard

If I could pick any point guard in the NBA to build my team around, I would put my money on Damian Lillard. I love his combination of scoring ability, the amount of emotion shown during games, and the massive chip on his shoulder that comes from routinely missing the All-Star game.

Jeff Teague is no slouch, though. The nine-year veteran has had plenty of success in his own right, including going to the playoffs each and every season. The 2015 All-Star has been a borderline top-10 point guard in the Association for a while now.

Taking a look at scoring numbers this early is going to be tough with such a small sample size, but let’s give it a shot.

According to basketball.reference.com, so far this young season, Lillard holds a major advantage in points per game (24.3 to 14.3) as well as rebounds (4.7 to 3.3). In terms of assists, Teague leads that discussion by a 7.6 to 5.7 margin. The current Wolf also tops the Blazer in field goal percentage (42.7 to 40) and 3-point percentage (45 to 38.3)

To put those numbers in their proper place, however, you need to look at the amount of shots they are taking. The former Weber State Wildcat (Lillard) attempts 6.7 3-point shots per game. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon (Teague) only puts up 2.9 threes per game. Overall, Lillard takes 18.6 shots per contest while Teague only takes 10.7.

Another way to measure a good point guard is by his pick-and-roll numbers. When Teague was brought to Minnesota, one of the major talking points was his ability to run the pick-and-roll with Karl-Anthony Towns. So far this season, his pick-and-roll numbers have been solid. He averages seven points per contest while running pick and roll, including a little over one point (1.02) per possession. With an effective field goal percentage of 59.1, he is ranked in the 79th percentile amount pick-and-roll ball handlers.

Dame Lillard has similar looking numbers. He averages 10.9 points per game out of the pick-and- roll, but only .92 points per possession. The effective field goal percentage is a little lower than Teague’s at 46.6, and he is in the 68th percentile.

While the numbers might point towards Teague being the better player, look at both of their situations. Teague is asked to be the fourth option on a very talented Timberwolves team, while Lillard has to carry the offense for his team every night if they want to win.

While the numbers test is won by Teague, the eye test goes to Lillard.

Advantage: Damian Lillard

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