Trail Blazers coast by Knicks for eighth straight win

Eight in a row! The Portland Trail Blazers coast by the New York Knicks at home to increase their win streak to eight games.

The Blazers came back to the Moda Center after defeating the LA Lakers in dramatic fashion Monday night. They took on the New York Knicks, that were without All-Star Kristaps Porzingis (out for season with ACL tear).

Thanks to over 60% shooting from three, Portland easily earned win No. 8 in a row.

Game Summary

Tired from Monday night’s crazy game versus the Lakers, Portland started tonight slowly. New York quickly jumped out to a 7-0 lead, but the Blazers closed the gap. After consecutive threes by Damian Lillard and a buzzer-beater from Pat Connaughton, Portland led 35-28 after one quarter.

Spanning into the second, the Blazers put together a 16-2 run. The double-digit deficit thinned over the course of the quarter with Portland wasting several possessions, though. By halftime, the Blazers held on to a five-point lead, 57-52.

Terry Stotts sent the right message at halftime. Out of the break, Dame and CJ McCollum hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Blazers built up a 16-point lead – the Knicks scored its first basket of the second half after four minutes of play.

Then Dame Time happened. 13 points in quick succession by Lillard pushed Portland way ahead. Even though the Knicks chipped away at the deficit, the Blazers led by 16 with one quarter to go.

List of players who played for Portland in the fourth quarter: Wade Baldwin, Jake Layman and Caleb Swanigan. Yeah, the Blazers blew the Knicks out in the final few minutes.

For win No. 8 in a row, Portland beats NY, 111-87.

Player of the Game

Damian Lillard

Who else but Damian Lillard.

In three quarters, Lillard scored 37 points on 10/18 shooting and 8/11 three-pointers. He went on a tear midway through the third to stop any chance of a Knicks comeback.

The February magic isn’t wearing off for Dame; he now averages 31.3 points in March and has the Blazers on an eight-game win streak.

Play of the Game

Defense came up big again for Portland, holding New York to just 87 points. Ed Davis set the tone with this emphatic block on Kyle O’Quinn. He blocked the shot so hard it wedgied (add it to the counter, The Starters).

5 Stats from the Game

• The Blazers made a season-high 20 three-pointers.
• Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined for 56 points.
• Wade Baldwin made his first appearance for the Blazers.
• The current eight-game win streak is double Portland’s second longest win streak of the season.
• Damian Lillard hit 8 of his 11 attempts from beyond the arc.

Next: Blazers sign Georgios Papagiannis to 10-day contract

The win streak is in its most danger yet. Portland hosts the Golden State Warriors on Friday at 7:00 p.m. PT. The streak started with Golden State and hopefully continues with them.

But until then, celebrate! The Blazers are still third in the Western Conference (stop winning New Orleans) and have a few days to rest after an intense back-to-back.