Despite having one of the NBA’s most exciting players on staff, the Portland Trail Blazers are on the verge of dropping out of the play-in race.
Pioneers star Damian Lillard will attempt to get his group back in the success section after five straight misfortunes when Portland has the Los Angeles Trimmers on Sunday night.
With only 12 games remaining, Portland (31-39) is 13th in the Western Conference and three games behind the final play-in spots.
By losing 10 of their last 13 games, the Trail Blazers have collapsed at a bad time. In addition, Portland has lost their first two games of a stretch in which eight of their nine games are played at home.
The Trail Blazers were defeated by the Boston Celtics 126-112 on Friday night, and Lillard scored 25 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter.
It was a staggering misfortune, and the seven-time Top pick guaranteed he’s not going to let down while Portland actually gets an opportunity to land a billet.
Lillard is averaging a career-high 32.4 points and has scored 20 or more points in 31 games. This season, he has scored at least 40 points in 15 games, including 50, 60, and a career-high 71.
Both the opponents and Lillard rack up the points. In 20 of its last 28 games, Portland has allowed at least 120 points.
The Celtics scored in excess of 30 places in three of four quarters in Friday’s triumph.
The Clippers (37-34) are fifth in the Western Conference, but they lost to the Orlando Magic 113-108 at home on Saturday. A winning streak of four games was ended by the defeat.
Despite the fact that Los Angeles had not played since Wednesday, star Kawhi Leonard withdrew from the game to rest the knee that had been surgically repaired. Tyronn Lue, the Clippers’ coach, didn’t say much about the situation, saying only that he knew Leonard wouldn’t play Saturday.
Los Angeles made some harsh memories without Leonard and made only 6 of 22 3-point endeavors and serious 15 turnovers. The Trimmers drove by eight after 3/4 prior to being outscored 39-26 in the last period.
Russell Westbrook admitted guilt for the defeat. He scored 14 points and had nine assists while turning the ball over six times and making just 5-of-14 shots.
Paul George had 30 points, but he also made six mistakes.
On Nov. 29, the Clippers defeated Portland, their opponent, 118-112, despite the absence of Leonard, George, and Lillard. Los Angeles’ Norman Powell, who had a season-high 32 points, is currently out with a shoulder injury. With 37 points, Anfernee Simons led the Trail Blazers.
