Damian Lillard is ready for the real games to begin—he lit up the Los Angeles Lakers for a light 30 Tuesday night at Staples Center.
Behind their star point guard, the Portland Trail Blazers hung on for a 109-106 preseason overtime win.
Damian Lillard looked like he's ready to play games that count and the Blazers beat the Lakers in OT.https://t.co/E8PyRAHN5H
— Mike Richman (@mikegrich) October 12, 2016
Lillard sat out the fourth quarter.
Per The Oregonian:
This was as close to a regular season dress rehearsal as the Blazers have come in the preseason. Blazers coach Terry Stotts shortened his player rotation prior to overtime as the regulars played well into the fourth.
While Lillard looked ready to start playing real games, his backcourt partner looked like he could use a few more warm up rounds. CJ McCollum’s preseason shooting woes continued against the Lakers as he shot 2 for 13. McCollum is shooting 28.2 percent (13 for 46) in three preseason games. At this point it’s a minor footnote, but the Blazers certainly will need him to find his stroke when the games matter at the end of the month.
Jordan Clarkson led the Lakers with 15 points and Nick Young added 14 points off the bench.
