McCollum scores 31 as Trail Blazers edge Jazz 115-111

For one night, the Portland Trail Blazers guard deserved to stand alone in the spotlight, not sharing it with the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player or Portland’s stunning 32-point throttling Friday of the league’s defending champs. Especially with a game against the Warriors looming on Saturday.

Damian Lillard sparked a huge rally for the Portland Trail Blazers, and his backcourt companion C.J. McCollum sealed the victory at the foul line. “A month ago, our goal was, ‘Let’s see if we can sneak into the playoffs, ‘” Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis told reporters. It doesn’t happen all the time, and it’s nothing to worry too much about, but it’s a part of Golden State’s personality.

Lillard spent the break recording rap music after being omitted from the West roster despite All-Star caliber numbers, ones that have helped Portland (27-27) to win 12 of 15 since a 128-108 home loss to the Warriors on January 8.

PORTLAND, Ore. – When the Golden State Warriors lose, it tends to be when you’d least expect it. Before Friday night’s 137-105 obliteration at the hands of the jubilant Portland Trail Blazers, the Warriors had previously lost to Detroit, Denver, Dallas and Milwaukee.

But the Blazers closed the half with a 7-0 spurt to trail by only five at halftime.

“I was a little surprised”, Mack said of his heavy playing time in his first game as a Jazzman.

“We ran a play that we usually get something good out of and they kind of messed it up”, said Lillard, who has now scored 30-plus points in four straight games. “What I’m not OK with is losing our poise in the third quarter and making 13 turnovers in one quarter”.

The Blazers shocked the defending champions with 42 first-quarter points and then scored 36 points in the third quarter to set up an extended session of garbage time.

“He was phenomenal”, said Golden State coach Steve Kerr about Lillard.

Lillard is averaging more points per game than any point guard not named Stephen Curry this season. And a jump shot by current Warriors broadcaster Jim Barnett is said to have been the inspiration behind the term “rip city”, coined by longtime former Portland radio man Bill Schonely, when Barnett was part of the Blazers’ inaugural season in 1970-71.

Guard Avery Bradley added 20 points for the Celtics (33-24), who have won 11 of 14 to stay on the heels of first-place Toronto in the Atlantic Division. Golden State failed to mount any sort of threat in the fourth quarter.

Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this National Basketball Association match between the Trail Blazers and Warriors from 2pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Mike Conley scored 25 points and Zach Randolph added 17 as Memphis defeated Minnesota at FedExForum for its 11th win over the Timberwolves in the past 12 games.

The Warriors defense moved the Blazers all over the perimeter and got lay-up after lay-up on the Blazers.

Lopez led six players in double figures and Marks watched his first game since leaving San Antonio to take the general manager job Billy King had until getting reassigned January 10. Lillard continued to hit ridiculous three after ridiculous three and finished with 51. Stephen Curry scored 16 points, hitting 4/7 from deep. F Noah Vonleh, who was active for the final game before the All-Star break but did not play, returned to the starting lineup after missing the last four games.

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