DAMIAN Lillard tied a career-high with 61 points and assisted Hassan Whiteside on what proved to be the game-winning dunk in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 134-131 defeat of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday in the Orlando area.
Lillard also became the first player in Portland franchise history to score 50-plus points in consecutive games.
Helping Lillard shoulder the offensive load was Carmelo Anthony, who scored 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the floor and 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point line. Anthony and Lillard combined for 12 of Portland’s 15 made 3-pointers.
Dallas shot a blistering 20-of-44 from 3-point range, with Kristaps Porzingis going 7-of-9 en route to a team-high 36 points before fouling out.
All five Mavericks starters scored in double-figures. Luka Doncic added 25 points with 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, while Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 24 points. Finney-Smith finished with 15 and Burke scored 12 points with nine assists.
In other games, it was the Bucks 126, Wizards 113; Suns 130, Sixers 117; Celtics 122, Grizzlies 107; Kings 112, Pelicans 106; Spurs 123, Rockets 105; and Nets 108, Magic 96.
Bucks 126, Wizards 113
Giannis Antetokounmpo was ejected in the second quarter for head-butting Moritz Wagner, but Milwaukee still beat Washington after Antetokounmpo was whistled for a charging foul for running into the Washington center, the two then jawed briefly and Antetokounmpo lowered his head and somewhat gently drove his forehead into Wagner’s left temple.
