What a tear Damian Lillard has been on since the all-star break. His game has risen tremendously, and Stephen Curry is the only person who’s playing better, and it’s only by a little. In nine games since the break, Lillard’s averaging 33.6 points and almost five assists per game; the Blazers offensive rating has jumped from 111 to 129.
Despite losing to Toronto 117-115 in a nail-biter, Lillard chalked up 50 points on 16/28 shooting and added three boards and five assists. It’s his second 50 points game of the year, with his first coming only a few weeks ago against the Warriors. With his second 50-point performance, Lillard ties Geoff Petrie for the most 50-point games in a season with Portland.
Hometown hero DeMar DeRozan dueled with Dame for the whole night, finishing with 38 points on 7/19 shooting and 24/25 from the charity stripe. His only miss game came at the end of the game when he was intentionally fouled after a Lillard three. Before that, his 24 straight makes from the line set an NBA record.
Toronto let up 38 fourth quarter points, with 22 coming from Damian Lillard. He made a three with 2.2 seconds left to close the gap to one point, 116-115. As stated above, DeRozan went 1/2 from the line on his final trip and Raptors narrowly beat the Blazers.
Both teams don’t play against until Sunday when Portland visits Detroit, and Toronto plays host to the Rockets.
Around The League
The Suns win! The Suns win! In been an awful year in Phoenix, to say the least. However, the Suns were able to walk into Orlando and steal a victory Friday, 102-84. Alex Len was the high-scorer, tallying 31 points on 10/22 shooting. Orlando shot just 34.7% in the loss.
The Cavaliers beat the Wizards by 25 behind a combined 40 points from LBJ and Kyrie Irving. James nearly recorded a triple-double, 13 boards and seven assists, as Kevin Love didn’t play.
Khris Middleton and the Greek Freak score 32 and 27, respectively, as the Bucks down the Timberwolves in Milwaukee. Zach LaVine recorded another 20-point game and is averaging 19 points per game as a starter.
Scores
IND 101 - CHA 108
PHX 102 - ORL 84
MIA 112 - PHI 102
NYK 104 - BOS 105
POR 115 - TOR 117
WASH 83 - CLE 108
UTAH 88 - MEM 94
MINN 101 - MIL 116
BKN 121 - DEN 120
ATL 106 - LAL 77
