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With Damian Lillard back in the lineup, the Portland Trail Blazers stayed close to the Houston Rockets all night. But Chris Paul made key plays late in the game, and the Rockets held off a game Blazers squad, 121-112. Here are some essentials from tonight’s game.
- Welcome back, Dame. Sort of. Lillard returned to the starting lineup, and made his impact felt quickly. However, NBC Sports caught a glimpse of him seemingly reaching at his leg just before he was subbed out of the game in the third quarter. He returned for the fourth quarter nonetheless.
- A rare unfavorable backcourt matchup. The Blazers usually play the best guard tandem in any NBA game, and James Harden sat out with an injury. However, Chris Paul and Eric Gordon feasted on Portland’s backcourt defense to the tune of 67 combined points. Lillard and McCollum each shot 9-16 and combined for 53 points, but it wasn’t enough.
- An “Arm’s Length” game. The final score was close, and the Blazers gave Houston a scare down the stretch, but the Rockets kept the Blazers at bay most of the night. Portland played a respectable game, but just didn’t have enough in the tank to pull it out.
Highlights:
When @CJMcCollum throws it up, good things happen. https://t.co/Q7dncno5Wc #ripcity #nbavote pic.twitter.com/CbDmmx5Pv0
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
Collins showing off the range. #RipCity https://t.co/Q7dncno5Wc pic.twitter.com/hU9QW35bC7
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
Napier can shoot. This is a fact. #RipCity https://t.co/Q7dncno5Wc pic.twitter.com/HFQXLOD7rB
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
OH. MY. GOODNESS. @Dame_Lillard #NBAVote #RipCity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/9tqkLadJZj
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
Davis called for a flagrant foul... in the 80's it probably woulda be a no call. #RipCity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/VPHfsaCwdN
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
Pat steal.
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 11, 2018
Dame dime.
Ed dunk. pic.twitter.com/4CEHY5cOLw
ET, what is that sorcery? #ripcity https://t.co/Q7dncn6uxC pic.twitter.com/KdYxwFR19i
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) January 11, 2018
What’s Next:
A trip to New Orleans for a bout against the Pelicans Friday night.