Trail Blazers ticking to ‘Lillard Time’
PORTLAND, Oregon — Moments after scoring a franchise-record 59 points in Portland’s victory over Utah on Saturday, Damian Lillard said he believed he could top it.
The declaration was quintessential Lillard.
“A lot of players have played here, so just to think about that is a great honor, but hopefully I’ll beat it. Hopefully I’ll get past that,” the Trail Blazers’ point guard said. “I think I will.” Something else that happened after the 101-86 win was also typical of Lillard: He gave the game ball to Utah veteran Joe Johnson, who scored his 20,000th career point during the game.
“That’s an accomplishment for him as well,” Lillard said.
Lillard’s step-back 3-pointer with 1:49 left pushed him past Damon Stoudamire’s previous franchise record of 54 points, set in New Orleans on Jan 14, 2005.
He pointed to his wrist, indicating “Lillard Time” — which becomes a thing in Portland when he takes over games — and then raised his hands before pounding his chest.
He shouted to the standing Moda Center crowd: “I got this.”
Lillard finished with nine 3s to match his career high and the Blazers’ record. He set another team record with his 27th game of the season with 30 or more points, and is also the first Portland player to have three games in a season with 50-plus points.
He did it all without giving up a single turnover.
“Damian was simply phenomenal,” said Portland oach Terry Stotts. “When he gets it going, it’s fun to watch.”
Lillard came oh-so-close to reaching the 60-point milestone, but two missed free throws with 23.1 seconds that left him at 59.
Earlier in the week at Utah, Portland fell 106-87. Lillard finished with 16 points, well below his average of 27 a game.
“I think he kind of knew in the back of his mind that he struggled last game against us, and he came in on a mission,” Utah’s Rodney Hood said.
“He started off hot and it was hard to slow him down. Once a guy like that gets hot, there’s only so much you can do.”
But more important than the points, at least to Lillard, was the win.
Portland (40-40) clinched the eighth and final playoff spot on Sunday when Denver fell 106-105 to Oklahoma City. Russell Westbrook, who had his NBA record 42nd tripledouble, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to knock the Nuggets out of the postseason.
The Blazers have two final regular-season games, at home on Monday against the Spurs and on Wednesday against the Pelicans.
Portland will play the topseeded Golden State Warriors in the opening round. The game schedule has not been set.
This marks the Trail Blazers’ fourth consecutive season in the playoffs.
Lillard, the sixth overall selection in the 2012 draft, is in his fifth season with the Blazers.
The two-time All-Star is also averaging 4.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
“Lillard Time” has become a phenomenon in the Oregon city, with a clever entrepreneur even selling a watch that has the phrase on its face.
In December 2014, Lillard nailed a 3-pointer to force overtime in a game against Oklahoma City and exclaimed to the crowd: “Y’all know what time it is?” and gestured to his wrist.
His league-wide reputation as a clutch player was set the season before when he hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave Portland a six-game, firstround victory over the Houston Rockets and sent the team to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in 14 years.
“Sometimes you just go out there and watch him when he’s doing his thing,” Portland forward Maurice Harkless said after Saturday’s game.
“Tonight was one of those nights.”