Lillard, McCollum score big in Blazers’ win at Jazz

Damian Lillard scored 27 points, including 14 in the third quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 115-96 on Thursday night.

Lillard’s five-game start of 137 points is the most by a Blazer since Zach Randolph scored 140 in the first five games of 2006. There is no doubt, nothing has come easy for Portland during this present National Basketball Association campaign as we witnessed how the Timberwolves uncovered the Blazers´ game feebleness, but one Portland’s player inspiration led his team to victory. Lillard and McCollum ended up combining for 62 points. “We’re a little older and slower, but they beat us to every single ball”.

Portland outscored Memphis 40-25 in the third quarter to turn a tight game into a rout.

The Jazz have yet to score 100 points in a game through the first four games of the season. They get after you with their length and their bigs. Gasol left Tuesday’s win over Sacramento with neck spasms and is listed as questionable for the tilt with Portland.Gasol has been dealing with neck issues since the start of the season and coach Dave Joerger plans to see how Gasol is feeling at Thursday’s shootaround before making a decision on his availability.

Portland Trail Blazers led 91-82 in the final quarter at one point.

“That’s the kind of team we need to be”, Lillard said.

Grizzlies: Seventeen-year veteran Vince Carter needs three more games to pass Steve Nash for 30th on the NBA’s career list.

Mason Plumlee didn’t merely continue his strong play for the Blazers, he also turned in multiple highlight-reel moments.

The Portland Trail Blazers, on the other hand, have exceeded expectations for their flipped roster, even with Meyers Leonard playing poorly and constantly battling minor injuries.

Bulls 104, Thunder 98: Derrick Rose scored 29 points, and Jimmy Butler added 26 to lead Chicago over Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies were beginning to cool off, just in time for Lillard to catch fire.

Wednesday’s matchup against Portland represented a challenge for the Jazz.

“They take so many long shots that normally that ball is going to bounce over your head, so you have to stay disciplined and box out”, Gasol said. “I think in the first week our defense has allowed us to get a lead. We were chasing our tails all around the floor”.