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Damian Lillard caught fire in the Portland Trail Blazers’ win over the Orlando Magic, with his 41 points (and franchise-record 10 made 3’s) being the difference in what could’ve been a questionable loss for the team. NBA TV analysts Steve Smith and Grant Hill both gave Lillard love for carrying Portland in the post-game show:
“I love the way he’s playing. … He’s one of the top players in this league night in and night out.”@steve21smith and @realgranthill33 have nothing but praise for Damian Lillard! #GameTime pic.twitter.com/9F4VfZrpzP
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 29, 2018
Smith says of Lillard:
“Right now, he’s understanding how he can put his imprint on the game and have winning plays. I love the way he’s playing, doesn’t get enough recognition.”
Hill notes Lillard’s heroics are nothing new:
“This is what Lillard has been doing really since the time he arrived in the league as a rookie.”
And Hill says Lillard’s spark plug ability puts him among the NBA’s elite:
“There’s a handful of guys in the league that can get hot and carry a team; certainly he is one of those guys. He’s in an elite category.”