The Portland Trail Blazers’ postseason hopes can no longer afford very many losses to clearly inferior teams.
The Houston Rockets certainly fit that category and Damian Lillard did all that he could to make sure an upset loss didn’t become a possibility.
Lillard scored a career-high 71 points to lead the Blazers to an 131-114 victory at the Moda Center.
He connected on 22 of 38 field goal attempts while making 13 of 22 threes and sinking 14 of 14 free throws.
Lillard scored 16 in the first quarter, 25 in the second quarter, nine in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said what stood out to him the most was how efficient Lillard was all night.
“Having 41 at the half was insane,” he said. “And then we come out in the second half, and in the third quarter, he just made every right play. They started firing on him at half court.”
So, Lillard backed off from scoring. For a little bit.
“He just wasn’t forcing at all,” Billups said. “He understood what they were gonna come out and do. And that takes some incredible discipline to know, alright, I’m not gonna force it. I’m just gonna fall back. And that was just so impressive to me.”
This is the second time Lillard has surpassed 60 points this season and the fifth time for his career. That places him third all time behind Kobe Bryant (five) and Wilt Chamberlain (32). Lillard had been tied with Michael Jordan and James Harden. Lillard’s 71 points is only the 13th game in NBA history of 70 points or more and ties for eighth-highest ever.
Lillard scored 60 points on Jan. 25 during a victory over Utah. He set his previous career best of 61 points on Aug. 11, 2020, against Dallas.
The Blazers shot 54.5% from the field while hitting on 20 of 39 threes (51.3%). Jerami Grant scored 13 points and Nassir Little came off the bench for 11.
The Rockets were led with 17 points each from Alperen Sengun and Jae’Sean Tate.
PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at the Moda Center on February 26, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. Getty Images
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (29-31) moved into sole possession of 11th place in the Western Conference with the victory over the Rockets (13-47). The game began with the Blazers in a tie for 11th place after the Los Angeles Lakers (29-32) won 111-108 at Dallas (32-30). Oklahoma City (28-32) lost 124-115 at Sacramento (35-25). The Blazers trail the sixth-place Mavericks by two games.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Golden State.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook). Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts