----- Damian Lillard scores 40 points as the Trail Blazers defeat the Phoenix Suns 106-104 on Saturday night.
It was Lillard-Time in Phoenix on Saturday night. Damian Lillard scored 40 points, the last two coming on a driving layup with nine-tenths of a second remaining to lift the Trail Blazers to a 106-104 win on Saturday night. Lillard scored 19 points in the final period on 8-for-12 shooting including 13 of the Blazers' final 18 points. Lillard helped the Blazers overcome a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to get their third-straight win.
''Obviously, Damian was huge, showed his leadership, showed his talent,'' Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ''We overcame a horrendous shooting night for most of the night and found a way.''
Lillard has now scored 197 points over the past five games, more in a five-game stretch than any Trail Blazer in team history (Brandon Roy - 182 points, Dec. 9-18, 2008). Those 197 points are also the most by any NBA player during a five-game stretch all season long.
With the win, Portland (34-26) now sits in fifth in the Western Conference playoff standings just 1.5 games behind Minnesota for third.
Jusuf Nurkic added 14 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks while CJ McCollum chipped in 21 points for the Blazers, who shot just 39.4% from the field including 6-for-30 from three-point range, their lowest percentage from downtown on the season.
UP NEXT- The Trail Blazers will return home to host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's take- If you don't think Damian Lillard is a superstar in the NBA, seek counseling immediately.