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As every Trail Blazer fan expected, Portland came out of the All Star break against the defending champion Golden State Warriors like gang busters scoring 42 points in the opening quarter Friday night. Okay, so maybe not EVERY fan expected the Trail Blazers to come out looking more like the reigning champs than the actual reigning champs, but Damian Lillard has been locked in from the opening tip. Looking well rested from the nine day break Lillard has got to his spots and checked off a long list of moves in just the first quarter.
Split the defense on the pick and roll, finishing through traffic?
Check.
Upping the difficulty now, splitting the defense while finishing through traffic with the circus shot?
Check that as well.
How about the catch and shoot transition three from thirty feet?
This too is also in the bag.
As for the pièce de résistance of Lillard's opening quarter- an off balance three pointer in the waning minute followed by breaking down the MVP Steph Curry before nailing the step back fadeaway.
Lillard would end up with 17 points and 5 assists to give the Trail Blazers an 11 point lead, after the first quarter 42-31.