Scoreboard
- Jazz 117, 109
- Heat 113, Cavaliers 98
- 76ers 99, Knicks 96
- Bulls 123, Thunder 102
- Hawks 119, Rockets 107
- Trail Blazers 125, Pelicans 124
- Lakers 137, Timberwolves 121
What went down
The ending between the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers was an explosive concoction of a furious rally, sprinkled with a couple of late-game breaks, and added with the most important ingredient of all: Dame Time.
After the dust settled, it was a 50-point game for Damian Lillard and an unbelievable 125-124 victory for the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers completed a 17-point comeback in a gutsy display of determination. While they made clutch baskets and key defensive stops, it also helped that they got a few breaks down the stretch.
There were the two misses by Brandon Ingram at the line with 41 seconds remaining, keeping the door open for Lillard. The Pelicans tried to stop Dame Time from happening by fouling him, to prevent a 3-pointer. Lillard then swished both free throws with 5.2 seconds left to make it a one-point game.
All the Pelicans had to do was inbound the ball on their possession but Nickeil Alexander-Walker lost it on the sidelines. In the end, Dame Time happened at the free throw line as Lillard knocked down a pair after getting fouled by Eric Bledsoe.
?? 50 POINTS ON 20 SHOTS ??@Dame_Lillard erupts for a season-high 50 to go along with 10 AST, sparking the @trailblazers 17-point comeback win! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/Ws5cuuqklR
— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2021
Big-time ballers
Damian Lillard ran an offensive clinic en route to his 50-point performance. He only needed 20 shots from the field, including six shots from beyond the arc. The cherry on top was his pristine 18-for-18 shooting from the stripe and the game-winning free throws. He also had 10 assists and six rebounds to boot. Lillard continues to be the king of the fourth quarter.
Before Dame Time happened, today’s Big-Time Baller honor was supposed to go to Zach LaVine. Nonetheless, the Chicago Bulls All-Star deserves praise for his 40-point feat against the OKC Thunder. LaVine shot 15-for-20 from the field, including seven 3-pointers. Even more impressive, he did it in three quarters.
Game recognizes game.
Dame is ridiculous
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) March 17, 2021
What he said
Utah’s Jordan Clarkson continues his impressive campaign for Sixth Man of the Year. He was pivotal in the Jazz’s 117-109 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, dropping 20 points and five treys off the bench. He has been given the green light to go off any given game and this pretty much sums up his mindset every time he steps on the floor:
“I never set a cap on myself.” @JordanClarksons discusses his role as 6th man with @SHAQ & @DwyaneWade. pic.twitter.com/Mu0jQFyuTa
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 17, 2021
What’s in a number?
Let’s continue with our Damian Lillard bonanza. We all know he’s captain clutch, but how clutch? In today’s game against the Pelicans, Lillard had 20 points in the fourth and got the decisive free throws too.
He remains the master of the clutch (in the fourth quarter, clutch is determined by the score differential being five points or less with less than five minutes remaining). He continues to pace the league in:
- Clutch points scored (124)
- Clutch points per game (5.6)
- Clutch free throw percentage (100%)
In 22 clutch games with a 16-6 record, he’s shot 60.3 percent from the field with a 53.3 clip from downtown.
