| |
|
NBA --- Lillard still down as Portland chases playoffs spot
By Ryan Gallardo
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Feb 2020
PORTLAND -- When the 2019-20 NBA season began last October, the Portland Trail Blazers were expected to easily make to post-season, what with their talent and the gained experience from a deep playoffs run last summer.
But perception and reality are two different animals. And the Blazers are finding that out the hard way.
With a little over six weeks left before the 82-game regular season ends, Portland has a disappointing 26-32 record which puts them in 9th place in the Western Conference standings. They trail the 28-29 Memphis Grizzlies by three games for the eighth and last playoffs berth.
Besides trying to supplant the Grizzlies, the Blazers must also somehow prevent the 25-32 New Orleans Pelicans and the 24-32 San Antonio Spurs from sneaking in down the stretch.
And that difficult task, at least for now, will have to be accomplished without their leader and best player, Damian Lillard.
For the third consecutive game, the Blazers will play without their star when they host the Boston Celtics today at the Moda Center.
Lillard was hurt in Portland's 111-104 defeat to the Grizzlies at the FedEx Forum in Memphis last Wednesday. An MRI confirmed a right groin strain. He is expected to be out for multiple games, between three to four, reports said.
Obviously Lillard is huge loss, especially at a time when he is playing some of his best basketball since beginning his pro career as the sixth pick of the NBA draft. A veteran of seven years and 603 regular seasons, Lillard is averaging 29.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 7.9 assists per through 54 games this season.
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Lillard is making $29.8 million this season or $363,414 per game.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Gallardo.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
, Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
, Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
, Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
, Wed, 26 Nov 2025WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Petecio in, Paalam out
By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
, Wed, 26 Nov 2025Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
, Tue, 25 Nov 2025Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed
, Tue, 25 Nov 2025PHL bids to host WB Congress
By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth
, Tue, 25 Nov 2025Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella
, Tue, 25 Nov 2025Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran
, Mon, 24 Nov 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
