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Damian Lillard has willed the Portland Trail Blazers into the playoff picture. The All-Star scored turned on “Dame Time” successfully this time around to take down the Dallas Mavericks 134-131 on Tuesday. The Memphis Grizzlies lost to Boston Celtics , so the Trail Blazers’ win bumped them up to sixth in the Western Conference.
Lillard amassed 61 points, 5 rebound, and 8 assists to tally 84.25 DKFP. He was 17-for-32 from the field and made nine threes. He was also a perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line. He’s now scored at least 50 points in two straight games.
Lillard didn’t do it all alone, as Carmelo Anthony had a solid night as well. The wing chipped in with 26 points and 8 rebounds to finish with 44 DKFP.
The Mavericks benefitted from Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis returning after taking Monday off. Porzingis led Dallas in scoring with 36 points and 6 rebounds. He finished with 50 DKFP. Doncic flirted with triple-double and racked up 25 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. He had a team-high 51.5 DKFP.
Now it looks like the Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs will have to battle it out for a play-in series. The Blazers can lock up the eighth seed with a win against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.