NBA playoffs on

Iwas actually torn between two loves, Damian Lillard of Portland and Ja Morant of Memphis, while watching them tangle on Sunday.

The way they score baskets is simply pure beauty.

But while Lillard does it mostly from afar— sometimes as far as near the NBA logo at midcourt— Morant loves to frolic more at the pai nt .

Lillard’s jumpers are with aplomb, while Morant’s stuff are tinged with acrobatic grit a la Michael Jordan.

Both score in double figures almost every game with the ease of a spider building i t s house.

Each one can win games on his own accord but, alas, basketball is a team game and, therefore, it is not all the time that one player can pull it out of the fire at all times. In some instances, the superstar also needs his teammates’help to have the job done.

As in Sunday’s case in the Portland-Memphis play-in.

Memphis shouldered an eight-point lead into the fourth and last quarter but, as happens almost always in sports, no lead is ever safe.

As the saying goes in every battle, it’s not over until it’s over. If you want it to sound romantic, the night isn’t over until the fat lady sings.

And rally Portland did and soon found itself enjoying a 119-113 margin with 1:20 left, thanks mainly to CJ MacColumn’s surprise expl osi on.

But Morant drove and Grayson Allen charitied and Portland’s lead was cut to 119116 with 42.8 ticks remaining.

That’s when Carmelo Anthony recalled his old fire with a sideline three on a brilliant assist by Lillard himself, giving Portland a 122-116 lead at the 20-second mark.

Anthony scored two more free throws when the Grizzlies inched to within 119-123 for Portland’s un-burstable 125-119 bubble with just 6.2 seconds left.

But even as Morant, only 21, would miss the playoffs, he stands a good chance of beating Zion Williamson for the Rookie of The Year honor s.

Meanwhile, let’s make way for the playoffs that begin today (Tuesday).

It’s Denver-Utah (1:30 a.m.) and Clippers-Mavericks (9 a.m.) in the West, and Toronto-Brooklyn (4 a.m.) and BostonPhiladelphia (6:30 a.m.) in the East.

The Lakers debut Wednesday against, well, Por t l and.

Enjoy.