LILLARD SCORES 49, PROPELS BLAZERS IN PLAYOFF PUSH

miami» Damian Lillard scored a season-high 49 points, 28 of them coming after halftime and the Trail Blazers beat the Heat 115-104.

Lillard tied a career high with nine 3-pointers, giving him 1,002 for his career. He shot 14 for 21 from the field, 9 for 12 from 3point range and made all 12 of his free throws.

Jusef Nurkic added 21 points and 12 rebounds for Portland (32-37), which moved within a game of idle Denver for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. C.J. McCollum scored 18 points and Noah Vonleh added 11 for the Trail Blazers.

James Johnson scored 24 points for Miami, which lost for just the second time in its last 17 home games. The Heat (34-36) missed a chance to reach .500 for the first time this season.

SUNDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Anthony Davis had 28 points and 12 rebounds, and the Pelicans beat the Timberwolves 123-109. DeMarcus Cousins added 15 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a one-game absence because of left knee and rib soreness. … Kyrie Irving scored 46 points, LeBron James added 34 and the Cavaliers rallied from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to edge the last-place Lakers, 125-120. Kevin Love had 21 points and 15 rebounds. … Robert Covington made the goahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to lead the 76ers toa 105-99 win over the Celtics. Dario Saric scored key baskets to extend the lead and bolster his bid for Rookie of the Year. Saric scored 23 points and helped rally the Sixers from a 13-point hole in the third. … Pau Gasol scored 22 points, LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 and the Spurs rolled to a 118-102 victory over the Kings. Kawhi Leonard had 12 points in 27 minutes, sitting out the fourth quarter after the Spurs led by as many as 28 points. … DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points in three quarters, and all five Toronto starters were in double figures as the Raptors beat the Pacers 116-91. DeRozan added four assists and three rebounds. … Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 23 points and the Pistons overcame a sluggish performance for the much of the game, finally pulling away from the Suns for a 112-95 victory. … Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and nine rebounds, J.J. Barea scored 20 and the Mavericks beat the Nets 111-104. The Associated Press