Damian Lillard came up large for Portland in Game 1 against the Denver Nuggets. But did anyone expect anything less from the Blazers star?
Lillard finished with 34 points and 13 assists as the buoyed the Blazers all throughout the game. But Portland's true advantage came off the bench, as their side outscored the Nuggets' subs 34-20. In a game that was won by exactly by 14 points, that spelled the difference.
Damian Lillard was vocal on getting a huge boost from Anfernee Simons, who himself tallied 14 points off the pine. The third-year guard also connected on four three-pointers, with two crucial triples in the fourth quarter that pushed the Blazers' lead back up when the Nuggets threatened.
“He’s been growing up in front of our eyes. For the last three years I’ve been a huge supporter of his and I’ve had a lot of confidence in him. From the time his draft workout in Portland — I just could tell,” the Blazers All-Star said of Simons. (via NBC Sports' Jamie Hudson)
Carmelo Anthony made some timely contributions of his own. The grizzled veteran scored 18 points, but was quick to heap praise on the youngster as well.
“As far as the ups and downs, that’s out the window; it does not even matter about that anymore. Tonight, he established himself, Game 1 in the playoffs,” Anthony said of the Blazers youngster.
Blazers-Nuggets Game 2 is on Monday night.
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