Damian Lillard scores career-high in 3OT, Blazers top Spurs
119. 29. 129. 34. Final
Missing Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez, the Portland Trail Blazers took on the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs on the road. Finding themselves down late in regulation, down six in overtime, and down six again in double overtime, they then rode a dominant Damian Lillard into triple overtime to power past the Spurs, 129-119. It was the signature game of the year, and it was broadcast nationally on ESPN. Lillard finished with a career-high 43 points.
Recap
The Blazers started this one looking like a team missing two starters, falling behind by as many as nine in the first quarter. However; with neither team able to manage a bucket in the last two and a half minutes of the quarter, the Spurs took a modest 20-17 lead.
The Spurs ratcheted down again, wresting control of the game to go up 11. But the Blazers, led by Steve Blake and Joel Freeland, went on an 11-0 run to make it 32-32 with five minutes to go in the half. The game stayed close even as it got chippy. Blake got hit in the face, which swelled to the size of a grapefruit. Lillard was being knocked around. Nobody was happy as both Tim Duncan and Lillard had death stares for the officials, leaving the court for halftime with the Spurs up 46-44. While the Blazers had eight turnovers to the Spurs’ four, only two of them came in the second quarter.
The Spurs opened the third with six straight points, but a Wesley Matthews drive and eight points from LaMarcus Aldridge got it back and then some. It was 61-61 halfway through the third as the teams continued back-and-forth, neither able to exploit the other for more than a few points at a time. Danny Green got free for a tough three as the buzzer sounded, giving the Spurs a 74-69 lead at the end of the third.
Dec 19, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Danny Green (14) reacts after a shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
The fourth quarter opened about as poorly as the third quarter, with the Spurs extending their lead. However; Dorell Wright, getting his first meaningful minutes of the season, went three for three from deep to keep the Blazers in it. Both teams missing key players, it was like watching two injured gulls peck each others eyes out. A missed statement dunk from Lillard resulted in a Green three on the other end with 5.7 seconds remaining, putting Portland down two.
Blake inbounded it to Lillard, who rolled down the left lane and laid it in with 1.4 remaining. Lillard then blocked Green’s quick attempt and sent the game to overtime. At the end of regulation, Lillard had scored the Blazers’ last eight points.
Unfortunately for the Blazers, the Spurs started the extra period with six straight points. The Blazers went to Lillard, who got their first overtime points on a drive with just over a minute remaining. Enduring a short back-and-forth, Lillard tied the game once again to force double overtime on an otherwise broken play.
In the sixth period, the Spurs struck first… scoring six straight points yet again… The deficit remained six until there were two minutes left and the Blazers had ball. So, naturally, Lillard drove down the lane and jammed it to get the Blazers to within four. After an Aldridge block on Duncan, Lillard to got it to Wright with time running out and he hit another three. Paired with a triple from Blake shortly after, the Blazers were on an 8-0 run to go up 110-108, Spurs ball, 30 seconds left. The Spurs hit, tying it at 112. Matthews was unable to seal the game on a last-second attempt that bounced out. Triple overtime.
Lillard struck first in 3OT, then hit again, and it was 116-112 Blazers just like that. The Spurs looked tired. Matthews stole a bad pass and was fouled, hitting both free throws, and it was 118-112. Lillard did what he does, shaking the defense and striking the smooth jumper, and the Blazers lead extended to eight as Lillard scored his 40th point. Then… Lillard decided to hit a three for the 11 point lead. Just insane. The Spurs hit, the Blazers hit, the Spurs hit… and with 1:30 left it was 125-117 Blazers. They hit another shot, and it was 10-point game, and the Spurs had all but conceded.
In the most raucous, unruly, scrappy games of the year, the Blazers emerged victorious, 129-119.
Players
Damian Lillard. Damian Lillard. Damian Lillard. If you say his name three times, he might come out of your mirror and drop 40 on you, then go back like it was nothing. His 43 points were a career high, his 53 minutes also a career high. It was also the second 40-point game of his career. He had six assists, three boards, three steals, and a game-saving block on Green in regulation. Damian Lillard was already a man, but he just made fools of scores of national analysts who left him off their top point guard lists; some of which were updated after the game.
LaMarcus Aldridge was nearly as spectacular. 32 points, 16 boards, five steals, two blocks in 52 minutes – just two minutes shy of his career high. He wasn’t as much of a factor in the overtimes, but part of that was because it belonged to Lillard. Aldridge was working down low, unafraid of pushing or being pushed, uncaring of the consequences so long as it got the Blazers closer to a win. It was the performance of true leader and a veteran.
Wesley Matthews tied a career high with 50 minutes, and played like a champion throughout. He was just 5-19, but had 16, seven, and five. He played incredible defense when the game was on the line, and it was on the line multiple times. You couldn’t have asked him to do more except hit a few more shots, but come on. That’s nitpicking. For the rumors of Matthews being coveted by the Cavaliers (rumors that are squarely coming from Ohio), the Blazers aren’t trading this guy. Maybe not ever.
Dorell Wright had all of his points after the third quarter. He had huge three after huge three to put the Blazers back in the game in regulation when it looked pretty hopeless, and hit another in 2OT to pull within one. He had a season-high 12 points, and a season-high eight rebounds, tying the most boards he’s had as a Blazer. He was everything the Blazers needed him to be. Great game, Dorell.
Steve Blake had 10-5-4 in 35 minutes, and had but one turnover. He had a baffling sequence where he shot a long jumper on the fast break instead of passing to a cutting Aldridge, but he kept his mistakes to a minimum. A good, solid game for him, too.
Thomas Robinson had but two points, but added six rebounds and his energy in the fourth quarter is a huge part of what got the Blazers to overtime. His presence in the second half is going to be sorely needed in the coming weeks.
Notes
- Lillard became just the 12th Blazer to score 43 or more points in a game.
The Blazers will ride this high for about 15 minutes before going to bed, because they have to play the New Orleans Pelicans tomorrow in New Orleans at 4:00 p.m. PST.