NBA: Damian Lillard Scores 71 Points Under 40 minutes
Photo: NBA
PORTLAND — Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets 121-114 with an unreal performance by Damian Lillard. Lillard racked up 71 points in 39 minutes, yes you read that correctly. The point guard accumulated 13 three-pointers in this historical game. Lillard became the first player in NBA history to score over 70 points in under 40 minutes and he is the eighth player to hit the 70-point mark. As if that’s not impressive enough, Lillard is also the only player on that prestigious list to score 70 over the age of 30 and the first to do so with 10 or more three-pointers. Lillard was drafted in 2012 and has always been known for his shooting skills. Nicknamed Dame Time for his history of making big shots in the clutch, he has received seven NBA All-Star and six All-NBA Team selections, the only player in Trail Blazers franchise history to do so. We can see making history is a norm for Dame Time.
“I enjoy those moments in the game when I’m just going after people,” Lillard said after the game. “That’s all it was tonight. I wanted to be in attack mode. I got it going and stayed aggressive.”
Photo: NBA
There was not a slow moment in all four quarters for Lillard, as he started scoring early, with 41 points, including eight three-pointers at halftime. It’s safe to say Dame Time was in attack mode for the entire game and wouldn’t let up! Lillard was sent to the free-throw line 7 times and scored all 14 shots effortlessly. But it was a ludicrous 36-foot jumper in the second quarter that made the crowd go wild. Lillard certainly had a magnetic relationship with the basket last night and we couldn’t dart our eyes away! The results ended with Lillard shooting 22-of-38 from the field, making 13 three-pointers from 22 attempts. A magical performance from the point guard was noted by Portland coach Chauncey Billups who described Lillard’s performance as masterful.
“It really, really was a masterful performance,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said describing Dame’s game. “It was a piece of art. That was incredible.”
Masterful indeed, but Portland holds 11th place in the Western Conference with a 29-31 record. Tuesday the Trail Blazers will head to the Bay Area where they’ll face the Golden State Warriors.
Bri’s Take
With such great effort do you think Lillard needs to get traded to get the ring he deserves? Or will he stick it out with Portland?
Check Lillard’s stats over the past 12 games - I’d say the point guard would thrive and have a better chance at a ring elsewhere.
