Damian Lillard knocks 30 to inspire Portland Trail Blazers over San Antonio Spurs 124-102

Damian Lillard knocks 30 to inspire Portland Trail Blazers over San Antonio Spurs 124-102

Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum

Damian Lillard’s leadership has been impeccable for the Portland Trail Blazers. He has always stepped up when the team required him the most. Even in Trail Balzers’ most recent encounter against San Antonio Spurs, Damian Lillard knocked 30 points to extend his team’s lead for the 6th spot in WC over LA Lakers. 

Damian Lillard hit a 3-pointer that gave the Blazers a 90-75 lead going into the fourth quarter and Portland led by as many as 26 points in the period. Neither Lillard nor Nurkic played in the fourth quarter. 

Damian Lillard leads Portland Trail Blazers over San Antonio Spurs to strengthen grip on WC playoff spot 

CJ McCollum added 27 points and Jusuf Nurkic had 17 points and nine rebounds for Portland Trail Blazers, who has won seven of their last eight. 

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Both teams were playing the second of back-to-backs. Portland solidified its hold on sixth place in the Western Conference with a 106-101 victory Friday night over the Lakers, which gave the Blazers the tiebreaker against their foe. 

The Portland Trail Blazers moved within one-half game of fifth-place Dallas Mavericks in the West. The top six teams avoid the NBA’s new play-in tournament. San Antonio has lost six of seven but is 10th in the West, two games ahead of New Orleans for the final play-in spot. 

Portland was without Carmelo Anthony, who has a right ankle sprain. The 10-time All-Star, who is averaging 13.5 points off the bench for the Blazers, hadn’t missed a game this season. 

Also read: Joel Embiid knocks 29 as Philadelphia 76ers record 8th straight win