Best – Damian Lilliard (G) Portland Trailblazers – 61PTS 17-32FG 9-17 3PT 18-18FT 5REB 8AST 1STL 3TO 41MIN
Damian Lilliard was close to not coming back when the NBA resumed the season in the bubble. The driving factor, whether or not he would have the chance to get his team, the Portland Trailblazers, into the playoffs. Once the bubble rules were set, Lilliard made a comeback and has not disappointed fans or his team.
After Tuesday’s win against the Dallas Mavericks, the Portland Trailblazers have taken over the 8th spot with one more seeding game on Thursday. The Blazers would not have been able to accomplish this without Lillard, who played the best game of the season. Lilliard put his team into a play in a game with whoever comes out as the 9th seed as long as the Trailblazers win their next game. Lillard and the Trailblazers have been a joy to watch, and I hope they make the playoffs so we can see this exciting team play some more meaningful games.
Other Notables: Kristaps Porzingas ( F) Mavericks – 36PTS 12-17FG 7-9 3PT 5-6FT 6REB 2BLK 2TO 36MIN; Ja Morant (PG) Grizzlies – 26PTS 7-13FG 1-4 3PT 11-15FT 4REB 13AST 1STL 2BLK 3TO.
Worst – Dillon Brooks (G) Grizzlies – 14PTS 5-15FG 0-4 3PT 4-4FT 2REB 3AST 2TO 33MIN
The Memphis Grizzlies came into the bubble holding onto the 8th seed in the Western Conference, aka, the last playoff spot. But the team has not gotten anything out of its secondary players to go with the phenomenal play of rookie sensation Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies now have a 1-6 record in the bubble and have ceded the 8th spot to the Portland Trailblazers. Dillion Brooks really needed to become that second option for the Grizzlies especially after Jarren Jackson Jr. went down with a knee injury and opted to have surgery. The shots and opportunities have been there for Brooks but he has proven that he cannot handle being leaned on. Tuesday’s stinker added to his string of bad games which resulted in losses for the team. The Grizzlies get one last chance to keep the hope alive. If they can win on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks the Grizzlies will keep the 9th seed and play the Blazers in the play in series for the 8th seed in the West. They will need Brooks to finally live up to being the second option on the team or the Grizzlies and Brooks will be packing their bags.
Extra trash: Troy Brown Jr. (G) Wizards – 9PTS 3-15FG 1-4 3PT 2-2FT 6REB 3AST 1TO 30MIN; Josh Hart G Pelicans – 3PTS 1-8FG 0-5 3PT 1-2FT 10REB 1AST 2STL 2TO 30MIN.