The Portland Trail Blazers finally took care of business, blowing out the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 135-117 to improve to 4-4 on the season.
From the onset it was clear that Lillard was determined to put the memory of Tuesday’s collapse to Chicago behind them, busting out of the gates with clear “I’m the leader of a team that is mightily underperforming” edge. The all-star scored 6 of the team’s first 8 points, and 15 of his game-high 39 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for what would become an offensive clinic.