The New Orleans Pelicans surprisingly made the sweep against the Portland Trail Blazers in the night on Sunday and entered the second playoff round. Blazer star Damian Lillard showed greatness afterwards.
After game 4, which the Pelicans won 132-123, Lillard hugged Anthony Davis, who had scored 47 points and to whom Portland had had no answer for the whole series. At the subsequent press conference he paid tribute to Davis.
“I’m sure that meant a lot to him. We’ve been in the league for six years and he was in the playoffs before. And that was against Golden State, a sweep. It hasn’t been easy for him in recent years,” said Lillard, who finished sixth in 2012, five places behind Davis.
“I can’t imagine not being in the playoffs as long as you’re a great player like him,” Lillard continued. “So I congratulate him. I wish his success hadn’t come against us, but I don’t want to be a bad loser at the end of the day. You have to show respect where respect is due.”
For Lillard himself, it was the fifth play-off in a row, but he did not progress beyond the second round. Instead, despite all expectations and a strong regular season, there was the second sweep in series.
“I think it hurts a little more this year because we had such a good season and we really had big plans,” said Lillard. “We expected more from ourselves, and unfortunately things didn’t go as we’d hoped.”
Lillard himself remained well below his capabilities throughout the series. The Point Guard, who had managed 26.9 points over the season, only dropped to 18.5 points at 35.2 per cent against New Orleans. Davis finished the series with an average of 33 points, 12 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 57 percent out of the field.