BLAZERS GRADED: Portland 115, OKC 111

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Andrew R Tonry, GoLocalPDX Contributor

In the span of about a minute-and-a-half, the Blazers' recent four-game road-trip was flipped from middling to triumphant, once again on the back of Damian Lillard's sensational play down the stretch.

With 1:33 left in regulation, the Blazers were down 10 before Lillard rattled of nine quick points, including a three-pointer with three seconds left that sent the contest into overtime.

It was reminiscent of The Shot, from the same spot on the floor, with the defense focused and the seconds in short supply. But when the ball left Lillard's hands, Tuesday in Oklahoma City, it didn't seem to hang in the balance--clearly it was going in.

And so, for the second time in four games, the Lillard's furious rally forced overtime. And, just as he did on Friday in San Antonio, Lillard owned the extra period Tuesday, getting the best of Russell Westbrook, who matched Lillard's 40 points, but couldn't string together as many clutch plays. Indeed, while Wesbrook was radical, Lillard was the assasin with triumphant poise.

It's gotten to the point where, even when the Blazers are in a seemingly insurmountable hole, leaving a game early--or turning the TV off--is a fool's gamble. When most deficits seem out of reach, Lillard, somehow, some way, rips them back.

He's done it twice in the last five days against playoff-bound, Western Conference contenders, all the while with his own Blazers suffering a rash of injuries. (A banged up Nicolas Batum joined Robin Lopez in street clothes, Tuesday.)

As the Blazers set out last week on a brutal four-game swing in a midst of uncertainty, having just lost starting center Robin Lopez, it wasn't hard to imagine them returning with a losing record. But Lillard just wouldn't let that happen, and the Blazers came back winning three of four--a feat that would've impresed even with Lopez.

Indeed, Lillard is making the improbable appear not only possible, but likely.

---

ALLEN CRABBE: C+
After suffering a sprained wrist, Nicolas Batum returned to the starting lineup, Monday, but a hapless performance made it seem as if he'd come back to soon. As such, Batum sat out Tuesday, and Crabbe filled in. The young player didn't make a whole lot of mistakes, nor did he provide much offense. Most of all, though, Crabbe was fortunate he didn't have to guard Kevin Durant (who was out with a sprained ankle).

LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE: B-
After missing Monday's game with a respiratory illness, Aldridge returned, albeit without his shot. Aldridge scored 25 points, Tuesday, but took 28 shots to get there (of which he made nine). He did, however, make some critical plays down stretch in regulation and overtime, before he was ejected in the final seconds for tussling with Serge Ibaka after the Blazers victory was assured.

JOEL FREELAND: C
Another start in the place of Robin Lopez, another nondescript performance for Freeland, who scored four points and grabbed five rebounds in 24 minutes.

WESLEY MATTHEWS: A-
Matthews finished with 22 points, making 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. That his shooting touch was on was critical for the Blazers, Tuesday, as outside of Lillard, Aldridge and Matthews, no other Blazer scored more than six points.

DAMIAN LILLARD: A+
Scoring nine points in the final 1:33 of regulation and seven more in overtime, Lillard wasn't just a monster late. In the first half he made 5-of-6 from distance. Lillard finished with 40 points, making 11-of-21 from the field, 8-of-12 from deep, 10-of-11 from the line, while adding 11 assists and six assists. Whether Tuesday's scorching ruthlessness at OKC or Friday's Herculean effort in San Antonio constitutes Lillard's best game of the season is difficult to say. Either way, in saving the Blazers' bacon, he's been absolutely marvelous.