Damian Lillard praised Zach LaVine's recent game-winner against the Charlotte Hornets, a case of real recognizing real ahead of Monday's matchup between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Chicago Bulls.
In the midst of true havoc in the lane, LaVine found the ball with only seconds left and scooted behind the 3-point line, letting go of a fading 3-pointer to beat the Hornets in regulation 116-115.
ZACH LAVINE FTW pic.twitter.com/NEDK5SHQPb
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) November 24, 2019
“It was fun to see,” said Lillard, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “Any time you see that type of performance, you hope that it comes in a win. And I think how they just came up big hitting three after three, you know, he hit a couple tough ones.
“He has that type of talent, that type of ability to have a night like that. For a player that's as talented, as good as he is, I don't think it's hard — once you see the ball go in a few times — to get hot.”
The Bulls have been looking to snap out of an early-season rut, much like the Blazers are now after losing four straight games. Lillard just returned after missing two games last week due to back spasms, though it will take more than all healthy bodies to turn a 5-12 train around.
The respect is there for both of these players, but Lillard is hoping to keep LaVine in check during Monday's game to snap out of this losing skid. The Bulls have won two of their last three games, but are in similarly murky waters at 6-11 on the season.
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