Lillard has season-high 60 factors, Blazers beat Jazz 134-124

PORTLA (AP) — Damian Lillard scored a season-high 60 factors, hitting 9 3-pointers, and the Portland Path Blazers beat the Utah Jazz 134-124 on Wednesday evening.

Lillard tied for second-most within the NBA this season. Donovan Mitchell had 71 in an time beyond regulation sport for Cleveland in opposition to Chicago on Jan. 3, and Luka Doncic scored 60 in Dallas’ OT victory over New York on Dec. 27.

Jerami Grant added 19 factors to assist Portland win its second straight sport.

Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 24 factors. He had a layup adopted by a tip shot with 5:20 left that received Utah to 115-108.

Grant and Anfernee Simons had back-to-back dunks to place Portland up 121-110 and the Blazers led comfortably the remainder of the way in which.

When Lillard got here to the free-throw line late within the sport, the house crowd stood and chanted “MVP! “MVP!” Lillard missed a bounce shot with 29.1 seconds left that might have topped his profession finest 61.

Lillard has 4 profession video games of 60 factors or extra. He is reached 61 twice.

After struggling for a lot of January, the Blazers had been coming off a morale-boosting 147-127 victory over San Antonio on Monday.

Lillard had 26 factors within the first half, hitting six 3s.

Lillard completed 21 of 29 from the sector, 9 of 15 on 3s and 9 of 10 on the line. He additionally had eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

TIP INS

Jazz: The short journey to Portland was in the course of two Jazz homestands. They performed three in Utah earlier than the sport, then return for 5 video games at residence. … Markkanen has made a 3-pointer in 37 straight video games, probably the most for an NBA 7-footer.

Path Blazers: It was the fourth sport of a six-game homestand for the Blazers. … Portland was damage within the first half when starter Josh Hart left with a hamstring harm and didn’t return. Jusuf Nurkic left the sport within the third quarter with left calf soreness and didn’t return. … Lillard moved into sixth on the league’s all-time 3pointers made listing, passing Vince Carter.

LEARNING PROCESS

Rookie Walker Kessler has been beginning for the Jazz in Kelly Olynyk’s absence due to a left ankle pressure. The 7-foot-1 middle ranks among the many lead leaders in blocks, with 1.9 per sport.

Jazz coach Will Harvey stated a part of Walker’s improvement is figuring out he belongs on the NBA degree.

“I believe he’s getting some good suggestions when he watches the movie with the coaches, however I actually suppose that he’s getting plenty of suggestions from his teammates, they usually’re empowering him,” Harvey stated. “The issues that they are saying to him within the huddle, within the locker room, pregame, postgame and at observe, make him really feel like he’s an enormous a part of what we’re doing and that he does belong and I believe that’s the place you’re seeing his confidence develop.”

UP NEXT

Jazz: Host Dallas on Saturday evening.

Path Blazers: Host the Raptors on Saturday evening.

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