| |
|
NBA -- Lillard leads charge as Blazers make the climb
By Ryan Gallardo PhilBoxing.com Sun, 02 Feb 2020

PORTLAND -- The Portland Trail Blazers are navigating through a tough schedule this week where they will be facing four playoffs-bound teams.
After three assignments so far, they are 3-0.
They hosted the Indiana Pacers and the Houston Rockets at home at the Moda Center on Monday and Thursday and then faced the Lakers in Los Angeles yesterday at the Staples Center where an emotional tribute was made for fallen icon Kobe Bryant, who perished in a helicopter crash six days ago along with his 13-year old daughter Gianna and seven other passengers.
After beating the Pacers, 139-128, and the Rockets, 125-112, the Blazers continued their tear with an impressive 127-119 victory over the grieving Lakers.
Lillard, a California native, was especially destructive against the Lakers as he scored 48 points and 10 assists including 23 in the third quarter.
But the victory was bitter-sweet for the perennial All-Star.
"I don't feel like anybody feels like we walked away as a winner given tonight, given the circumstances," he told reporters. "The memories that we'll take away from it was just sad and tough. It's good that we had to compete."
And just like that, Portland, which fell to as low as 16-24 on January 11, has now moved up to 22-27 and are just two games behind the 24-25 Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth playoffs berth in the West,
In all three wins. Lillard has been the catalyst with a combined total of 134 points and 34 assists.
Can he keep the pace?
The Blazers host the Utah Jazz today.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Gallardo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO? By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53 , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2 By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt , Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Wed, 25 Feb 2026Doors open for Manny By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026MEXICAN TITANS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD HIGHLIGHTING CINCO DE MAYO WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS! , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Alex Bray and Gabriela Tellez Capture WBA Titles, Dainier Pero Scores Impressive Stoppage at “Night of Champions XIV” in Orlando , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Cebuana Lhuillier Gems Officially Join Inaugural Pickle Yard Conference League By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026ADAMES AND AMMO CLASH FOR WORLD TITLE IN ORLANDO ON MARCH 21 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Filipino Alexis Emil Maribao shocks Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto in the Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess opener By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Team USA Notches Perfect Day to Open 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Floyd Mayweather Vs. Manny Pacquiao Set for Blockbuster Professional Rematch Streaming Live Globally on Netflix Saturday, September 19 , Tue, 24 Feb 2026Zulueta, Bactol, Dologuin, Almacen Score Knockout Wins in Thailand (PHOTOS) By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 24 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|