Do Trail Blazers have enough energy in tank to beat Grizzlies, challenge Lakers?
The shot by Caris LeVert bricked off the back of the rim. For the first time all night, the Portland Trail Blazers could finally exhale.
The Trail Blazers escaped with a 134-133 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. They (at least temporarily) secured the Western Conference’s eighth seed, ensuring an appearance in the league’s play-in tournament against the ninth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies beginning Saturday.
Not only could Portland (35-39) exhale in relief after the Nets guard missed a 22-foot jumper with .3 seconds remaining. They could also exhale in exhaustion.
As soon as the buzzer sounded, Portland showed its fatigue. Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard placed his hands on his knees.
“I was just tired,” Lillard said
And why wouldn’t he? The Blazers went 6-2 during the season restart in a two-week span. Lillard had just posted 42 points after spending the week carrying the Blazers in wins over Philadelphia (scoring 51 points) and Dallas (scoring 61).
The fatigue did not just apply to Lillard.
Check out the top 10 plays of the night from the NBA Restart on August 13, featuring Damian Lillard, Jabari Parker, Devin Booker and more! #WholeNewGame
Damian Lillard scored 42 points to go along with 12 assists to help the Portland Trail Blazers clinch a place in Saturday's Western Conference Play-In Game as the #8 Seed.
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