Trail Blazers' Maurice Harkless: Falls flat in Thursday start

Harkless managed only three points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three assists and a rebound over 17 minutes in Thursday's 109-108 preseason loss to the Clippers.

Analysis:

Getting his turn in the small forward starting rotation, Harkless considerably underwhelmed over his brief allotment of playing time. As had been the case on Tuesday versus the Lakers-- when Harkless came off the bench and his primary competitor for the starting three role Evan Turner drew the start-- it was the reserve who outperformed the starter, as the latter turned in an eight-point, three-rebound, three-assist outing Thursday. Harkless will presumably head back to the bench for the Blazers' tilt against the Nuggets on Sunday and the competition will likely continue until the regular season opener draws much nearer.