Lillard Continues Domination Spree, Blazers Whomp Kings, 116-99

After opening the post-All-Star break with two road wins, the Blazers returned home for the first of three crucial home games. The Sacramento Kings came in tonight as the perfect appetizer, it not a little gristly at times, before the two main courses to follow. It made for a tasty match-up on the annual Blazer’s Edge Kids Night.

The scrappy Kings hung around for three quarters before the Blazers were finally able to pull away down the stretch. Now, two divisional foes come to town next.

The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard with 26 points and 12 assists. Shabazz Napier bounced back from a rough game with 20 points off the bench. The Kings were led by former Blazer Zach Randolph, with 20 points and 6 rebounds.

[Note: Due to technical issues, there will be no extended analysis of tonight’s game].

Here are a few morsels from tonight’s game.

Flash Fried

The Blazers had 13 fast-break points in the first quarter, nearly double their average for an entire game. Portland would finish with 20 for the game.

The Signature Dish

With his 17th point in the second quarter, Damian Lillard now holds the highest scoring average for a month by any Trail Blazer in history, 31.4 points per game. He surpassed the previous leader, former Blazers All-Star (and later, General Manager) Geoff Petrie.

I’ll Just Have Bread

Zach Randolph continues to chug along in his 16th season, putting in a workmanlike effort against his former team. The older, but flashier, version of LaMarcus Aldridge, Randolph finished the game with a nearly typical stat-line.

Shabazz is Finally Back on the Menu

Shabazz Napier has not been good since the All-Star break. I mean, like, really not good. Tonight, that finally changed. On a night CJ McCollum struggled from the field, Napier provided some much needed offense for the Blazers as the Kings refused to go quietly into that good night. He helped the Blazes pull away in the fourth quarter, scoring the 100th point and ensuring the fans of a tasty McGriddle.

Here are some video highlights:

Box Score

Up Next

The Blazers take on the Northwest Division leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night for a TNT game at the Moda Center. Tip off is at 7:30 PM.