Damian Lillard Makes Monster Statement in 3OT Thriller and Friday Takeaways
After a 10-point fourth quarter that was impressive in its own right, Damian Lillard scored 16 of his career-high 43 points in three overtime periods on Friday night, leading his Portland Trail Blazers to a 129-119 victory against the San Antonio Spurs.
The 24-year-old dealt the reigning champions their second triple-overtime defeat in three days and their fifth loss in seven games.
"Damian was unbelievable," Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after the game. "He was unguardable. He just took it upon himself and single-handedly did us in. He was amazing."
If the numbers hadn't persuaded you already, just assess the damage Lillard did to the rim in double overtime.
The heroics come a day after the Dallas Mavericks' acquisition of Rajon Rondo added another elite point guard to the Western Conference's title race. Taking full advantage of Tony Parker's third straight absence on account of a hamstring injury, Lillard firmly established his credentials as a one-man wrecking crew against the league's very best—a fact that hasn't been lost on observers who'd know.
Just in case you'd forgotten about that whole thing where Lillard single-handedly ousted the Houston Rockets from last season's opening round with a buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game 6, he'll have you know the killer instinct is alive and well.
Lillard got some help from LaMarcus Aldridge and his 32 points against San Antonio, but shooting guard Wes Matthews was just 5-of-19 from the field, and starting forward Nic Batum sat out after bruising his knee and wrist because of a traumatic fall against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
If there were ever a time for Portland's star floor general to take over, this was it. He made seven of his 11 field-goal attempts in the overtime frames, appearing entirely unaffected by what ultimately amounted to 53 minutes of action.
Spurs backup point guard Cory Joseph is a better-than-advertised defender, but he never had a chance to stop the third-year veteran. Nor did San Antonio's team defense, not with Lillard's ability to cause absolute havoc off the dribble.
When Lillard finds his rhythm, mortal defenders don't have many options. He poured in 35 points, converting seven of 11 three-point attempts, against the Chicago Bulls in a 115-106 loss a week ago.
This time was different.
The Trail Blazers outscored San Antonio by a 17-7 margin in the final overtime, scoring the period's first 11 points against a squad that was almost certainly running on fumes. Portland's youth was on full display, as was its apparent determination to show up the reigning champions for the second time this week.
Head coach Terry Stotts' club has now won four straight, building valuable momentum with games against the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors still to come this month. Now 21-6 this season, the Trail Blazers are just two games behind the West's top-seeded Golden State Warriors.
And Portland's point guard is forcing the rest of the league to pay attention.
Around the Association
C's Take First Game without Rondo
Shabazz Muhammad's 26 points weren't enough for the Minnesota Timberwolves to stop the Boston Celtics from claiming a 114-98 victory in their first game since trading star point guard Rajon Rondo to the Mavericks.
Prior to the contest, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters, "I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of emotion we have."
He had to be happy with what he saw. Six Celtics scored posted double figures in points in a game that remained close until the final quarter, and seven contributed at least three assists. Having conceded to what promises to be an extended rebuilding process, maybe the Celtics were more motivated than usual. This team may have lost its best player, but it still has some pride.
LeBron Passes Sir Charles on All-Time Scoring List
Though he almost certainly cared more about getting the 95-91 win against the Brooklyn Nets, LeBron James also managed to ascend the all-time scoring ranks another notch.
The four-time MVP led Cleveland with 22 points and nine assists, securing a key bounce-back victory after getting blown out by a 127-98 margin against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Mike Miller scored 21 points on an electric 7-of-8 performance from beyond the three-point arc, shining in his first start of the season after a concussion sidelined him for the last seven games.
"He's a professional guy," James told reporters after the game when discussing Miller's contributions. "You know you can always count on him, even when he's (sic) doesn't make shots. We needed him. He kept us afloat."
The still-improving Cavs face the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Westbrook Saves Thunder without Durant
Sitting out his first game after suffering a sprained ankle in Thursday's loss to the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant spent Friday night the same way he spent 17 other games this season: out of service.
Russell Westbrook picked up the slack with 31 points and 10 assists, nailing a 16-foot jumper that gave the Oklahoma City Thunder a three-point lead with 38 seconds remaining in regulation. The Los Angeles Lakers got one last bucket from Jeremy Lin but ultimately fell by a final score of 104-103 after an ice-cold Kobe Bryant missed a would-be game-winner.
The 36-year-old tied a season low with nine points and made just three of his 15 field-goal attempts, leaving a stat line eight rebounds and eight assists couldn't even save.
Bulls Halt Grizzlies' Six-Game Win Streak with Rookie's Help
Apparently, this Nikola Mirotic fellow is good at basketball. That was no mystery coming into this, his debut season in the NBA. After all, he was the MVP of Spain's Liga ACB in 2013, when he led Real Madrid to that league's championship.
But Mirotic has made his presence felt more often than not for the Chicago Bulls this season, and he certainly did as much on Friday night. The 23-year-old Montenegrin exploded for an NBA career-high 27 points on just 10 field-goal attempts to help the Bulls steal a road win over the Memphis Grizzlies, 103-97, despite the absences of Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson.
Mirotic did most of his damage from beyond the arc, nailing all six of his three-pointers—the most by a Bulls rookie since Chris Duhon hit eight of nine against the Atlanta Hawks in April 2005. With the field of first-year stars thinning by the day, Mirotic could find himself in the thick of the Rookie of the Year race with more performances like this.
-Contributed by Bleacher Report Lead Writer Josh Martin
Wizards Riding High
The Washington Wizards moved to 19-6 with a 105-103 win against the Miami Heat and remain just one game behind the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Toronto Raptors. It's the club's sixth consecutive win against what's admittedly been mediocre competition.
With upcoming meetings against the Bulls, Mavericks and Rockets in December, the Wizards will be tested.
Kemba Saves Hornets from Real Shame
Things haven't gone according to plan for the 7-19 Charlotte Hornets this season, but they could have gone considerably worse on Friday night. Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson combined for 50 points en route to a 109-91 blowout of the league-worst Philadelphia 76ers.
There haven't been many highlights for the Hornets this season, and this may not technically qualify as a highlight. But it's rare relief for a team that had lost four straight and wasn't far removed from a 10-game losing streak.
Put simply, the Hornets will take it.
James Johnson Did a Very Bad Thing to the Rim
There weren't many surprises in the Toronto Raptors' 110-100 win against the 5-22 Detroit Pistons, but forward James Johnson gave ticket holders their money's worth with the baseline drive shown above.
Johnson finished with 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench, one of six Raptors who scored in double figures. Meanwhile, Detroit suffered its 12th consecutive loss at home. The early going hasn't been fun for new team president and head coach Stan Van Gundy.
Quote of the Night
Pau Gasol got the better of his former team and brother Marc on Friday night, and that made it extra special, according to Bulls center Joakim Noah.
As only he can put it.
