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Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard: ‘We’re here for business’

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 07: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center on March 07, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 07: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Moda Center on March 07, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

After two exhilarating games, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard says he and his team are already in playoff mode and focused.

After a dramatic overtime win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their first official bubble game, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard told the media that the Blazers were the team that wanted it more.

They showed that same fervor in their recent loss to the Boston Celtics. After being down 24 points, Portland came back and briefly took a lead in the fourth quarter.

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“I think we showed that we’re here for business by how we responded and how we gave ourselves a chance to win, ” Lillard said. “We could have easily folded and laid down and said it’s a bad day and we didn’t do that.”

The five-time NBA All-Star said he loved his team’s effort and the way they competed.

Earlier in the NBA season after a big loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard said in an interview with NBC Sports Northwest his team is one that must have urgency, focus and energy in every minute of the game to have a chance to win.

The Blazers showed little energy in the first half of the Celtics game and allowed Boston to build a 19-point lead. They made 11 three-pointers and Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum scored 21 of his 34 points in the first two quarters. Lillard said the Portland Trail Blazers simply got off to a slow start.

They exerted more effort in the second half and almost won the game after playing tighter defense and outscoring the Celtics 76-61.

“If anything, we’ll take away that we played extremely well in the second half and showed what we’re capable of doing against a really good team,” said Terry Stotts, Blazers head coach. “We know what’s at stake.”

The loss to Boston did not badly damage their chances of claiming the eighth seed. However, they can’t fall below the ninth seed if they want to get to the playoffs.

Only the eighth and ninth seeds can participate in the play-in tournament that happens if the eighth and ninth place teams are separated by at least four games. The tournament requires one win for the eighth seed and two for the ninth.

All but one of the Blazers’ remaining games are against teams who have cliched playoff spots. Lillard understands the severity of his team’s situation and said they are already in postseason mode.

“This is the playoffs for us,” the Blazers star said. “We could be here for eight games and going home if we don’t treat it like it is.”