Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers will look to continue their recent strong play on Friday night when they visit the Washington Wizards.
Lillard collected 42 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds to pace Portland to a 122-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. He has scored at least 40 points in back-to-back contests and in a total of nine games this season.
Wednesday’s win wasn’t just a one-man show, however.
Anfernee Simons scored 26 points and Drew Eubanks recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds while playing in place of Jusuf Nurkic, who left the game early in the first quarter due to left calf soreness. Portland also saw Jerami Grant depart the game due to concussion-like symptoms.
The Trail Blazers have won four of their past five games to move within one victory of .500 on the season.
The Wizards, in turn, have won six straight games for the first time since 2015.
Washington’s bid to extend that winning streak on Wednesday was denied not by a loss but by travel issues involving its opponent. The NBA postponed Wednesday’s game after the Detroit Pistons were unable to fly home following their contest against the Mavericks due to an ice storm in Dallas.
Deni Avdija scored a career-high 25 points to go along with nine rebounds in the Wizards’ 127-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. He made 10 of 12 shots from the floor, including both attempts from 3-point range.
Bradley Beal scored 21 points and Porzingis chipped in 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and five blocks in his return from a three-game absence due to a left ankle sprain.
