The match between Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks had been built-up as a face-off between two of NBA's exciting stars - Doncic and Lillard. And that proved to be the case with both putting in stellar performances.
Dallas Mavericks lost at home to the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday night, losing a barn burner 121-118. Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 34 points and 11 assists. As usual for the Mavericks, Luka Doncic poured in 44 points but that wasn't enough to salvage a victory.
The match had been built-up as a face-off between two of NBA's exciting stars - Doncic and Lillard. And that proved to be the case with both putting in stellar performances.
Watch their personal highlights here:
DAME and LUKA duel. ????@Dame_Lillard: 34 PTS, 11 AST, W@luka7doncic: 44 PTS, 9 AST pic.twitter.com/sq26Tf9ycP
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2021
The Blazers started brightly in the first quarter, hitting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc and putting Dallas on their heels. The Mavericks, on the other hand, coming off a game where they hit a franchise-record 25 threes, did not connect on a single three in the quarter and they took eight. It was like the law of averages had finally caught up. The ever-present Luka Doncic carried the Mavericks early, scoring any way he wanted and putting up 13 points but Dallas found themselves trailing 34-25 after Q1.
The match was done in the final quarter. With Doncic and Lillard connecting on threes to start the third quarter, it seemed like we might be in for another offensive shoot out. The Blazers kept fire whereas the Mavericks started oddly, attempting to get Porzingis going on the offensive end which didn’t pan out and Dallas couldn’t contain the Blazers defensively. Portland shot an insane 15-of-21 for 45 points in the quarter and jumped ahead to a 103-91 lead heading into the fourth. That proved too much for the Mavericks to pull back.
(Photos Twitter)
