Northwest Notes: Clingan, Clifford, Markkanen, Murray

Donovan Clingan, the Trail Blazers’ third-year center, averaged 8.6 points last month but posted three consecutive double-doubles in his first three outings in November.

“I feel like it’s been a slower start. But I have picked things up,” he told Mark Medina of Fadeawayworld.net. “I’m starting to get a feel for the game again and understanding what my team needs from me in order to go out there and win. I’m just showing up and doing what I need to do every day.”

Clingan, who will be eligible for a rookie scale extension next summer, attributed his slow start to being too passive.

“I wasn’t as active. I wasn’t moving as much,” he said. “I wasn’t being the active defender, rim protector, and…