Damian Lillard drops 47 but Luka Doncic leads balanced Mavericks offence to victory in Portland

Author Photo
Damian Lillard and Luka Doncic

In an offensive exhibition of basketball at the Moda Center in Portland, the Dallas Mavericks beat out the Portland Trail Blazers 133-125.

Seven players scored in double figures as Mavericks defeated the Trail Blazers for the second time in less than a week. Luka Doncic, a couple of hours after being named an All-Star Starter for the first time, led the way for the visitors with 27 points , nine assists, and six rebounds in 35 minutes.

Here are the biggest takeaways from this game: 

Mavs' supporting cast catch fire on rough shooting for Luka

Despite putting up team-highs in points and assists, it wasn't a great shooting night for the reigning rookie of the year - 11-25 FG's; 2-11 3P's; 3-6 FT's. 

So, the rest of the squad stepped up. 

Eight of the nine players Mavericks that checked into the game, knocked down a three-pointer. Four players - Seth Curry (4-7), Tim Hardaway Jr. (3-6), Kristaps Porzingis (3-4), and Dorian Finney-Smith (3-5) - knocked at least three each as the Mavericks shot 22-of-47 for the game. 

Other than Doncic, the rest of the starters combined for 59 points (24-36 FG's; 13-22 3P's). Jalen Brunson (17 points - 6-10 FG's; 4-5 3P's) and Maxi Kleber (15p - 6-9 FG's) combined for 32 of the 47 bench points. 

Lillard erupts again, Ariza shines on Blazers debut

Damian Lillard nearly had 50 points for a second straight game. 

In this one, he went off for 47 (16-28 FG's; 8-15 3P's), starting off the game with a first-quarter duel with Luka Doncic. 

While Lillard became the eighth player to score 108 points in back-to-back games, he received good support from the duo of Trevor Ariza and Gary Trent Jr. 

Ariza, on debut for the Trail Blazers after being acquired via trade from the Sacramento Kings, finished with 21 points (7-11 FG's; 4-6 3P's), seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes. Trent Jr, on the other hand, chipped in with 20 (7-10 FG's; 6-7 3P's).

The Blazers, who were missing CJ McCollum for the third straight game, got 16 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists from Carmelo Anthony, sho struggled shooting the ball, going 7-of-21 from the field.

The views expressed here do not represent those of the NBA or its clubs.

Author(s)