3 things to know: Clutch heroics from Damian Lillard ices Warriors late in Portland, 108-106

Heading into the fourth quarter of a back and forth battle with the Golden State Warriors, Damian Lillard was uncharacteristically cold for the Portland Trail Blazers. The All-Star guard tallied only 12 points on 3-of-12 shooting from the floor and 1-of-6 from long distance through the first three quarters.

However, with the game close in the final minutes, “Dame Time” went into effect. After drilling a 3-pointer to tie the game with two minutes remaining, Lillard buried a lethal triple that ripped through the net to give the Trail Blazers the lead with 14 seconds remaining.

After hitting a pair of clutch jumpers, Lillard stepped up on the defensive end of the floor. When Draymond Green drove to the bucket for an open lay-up to tie the game on the next possession, Lillard slide in his path for a controversial charge call. After a review, the charge stood, icing the game in Portland’s favor, 108-106.

Via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:

Lillard finished the contest with 22 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the field with six assists and five boards in 37 minutes for the Trail Blazers.

The Warriors will have to bounce back on Thursday with the second leg of a road back-to-back slated against the red-hot Phoenix Suns.

Kent Bazemore

Prior to the start of the contest in Portland, Kelly Oubre Jr. was ruled out with a sprained left wrist, leaving the Warriors without one of their top secondary scorers behind Steph Curry. With Oubre Jr. sidelined, the Warriors turned to Kent Bazemore.

The veteran guard registered one of Golden State’s four double-figure scoring performances against the Blazers, notching 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field with six boards and an assist in 30 minutes for the Warriors.

Steph Curry

Whenever Steph Curry laces up against Damian Lillard, there are bound to be fireworks. As Lillard waited till late in the fourth quarter to make noise, Curry opened the game with 16 points in the first quarter for Golden State.

The two-time Most Valuable Player rode his scoring run to 35 points on 13-of-28 shooting from the field with seven rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes against Lillard and the Trail Blazers.

Highlight of the night

On his way to being named a starter for the 2021 All-Star game, Steph Curry has provided a barrage of highlight-worthy plays. On Wednesday in Portland, the two-time Most Valuable Player added another to his 2020-21 resume.

Late in the third quarter, Curry caught a pass from Draymond Green after cutting in the lane. With Enes Kanter roaming the paint, Curry flipped up a high arcing lay-up that bounced on top of the rim before falling through the net.

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Golden State Warriors player grades for the month of February before the All-Star break