Damian Lillard Praises ‘Group Effort’ in Blazers’ Game 2 Victory

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard finished with 14 points against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. That would usually be a dooming stat for Portland, but thanks to the supporting cast, the Blazers are headed back home with a win under their belts.

After the game, Lillard praised the collective effort in Game 2 (via ESPN’s Royce Young):

“In this type of game, that’s when you need a tough, group effort,” he said. “You just need a few guys to make a few big-time plays.”

Backcourt mate CJ McCollum, who led the team with 20 points on Wednesday, talked about the scoring baton that he and Lillard pass between each other:

“Sometimes we have conversations, but it’s more feel now after six years,” McCollum said of how they communicate whose time it is to take over. “He knows when I want the ball, we can kind of make eye contact, and I know when he wants the ball. Other times we’ll verbally express it, or he’ll be like, ‘Go take it’ or ‘I need one, I need one.’ Or I’ll tell him, ‘I’m ready, come on.’

You can read more from Young’s piece here.