The Portland Trail Blazers entered Friday night’s tilt against the Charlotte Hornets in desperate need of a win. The Blazers were 0-7 over the last fortnight, winless in December. The Charlotte game was their last chance to grab one at home before heading to Memphis and New Orleans with a 1-11 cumulative road record on the season.
Damian Lillard stepped up in the midst of the void, ruining the return of LaMelo Ball from COVID Health and Safety protocols with a 12-19, 43-point performance. Lillard staked the Blazers to an early 17-point lead, helped them almost double it to 30 by the third period, and carried them through a shaky fourth period as they took it home for a 125-116 victory.