NBA: Seven Lillard threesomes in a quarter – Russ swallows Kidd

Damian Lillard has set a new franchise record for the Portland Trail Blazers with ten converted threes. The All-Star scores seven of them in the third quarter and turns the game against the Orlando Magic. Russell Westbrook plays against the Cleveland Cavaliers in his 107th triple-double of his career, equal to Jason Kidd.

With a strong defense, the Hornets have decided their home game against Atlanta. The guests were kept out of the field by just 34 percent, which is why it did not matter that Kemba Walker (19, 6/19 FG) did not have a good evening this time.

Atlanta dominated the boards over the 48 minutes (54:44), but could not make much profit from it. Instead, the Hornets scored a strong 62 points in the zone and eliminated the weak shooting from the distance (4/20 threes). Atlanta only led in the first quarter with up to 10 points, after which the hosts took control of the game.

Cody Zeller scored 12 of his 19 points in the second quarter and thus initiated the turnaround. In addition to the center, Shooting Guard Jeremy Lamb also convinced with 22 points.

Thus, the Hornets managed the revenge for the bankruptcy in Atlanta, when John Collins blocked a possible game winner of Walker. The sophomore caught a rather weak evening this time with only 9 counters and 10 rebounds. The top scorer of the guests was Trae Young with 18 points, in addition Kevin Huerter and Taurean Prince each scored 12.

Joel Embiid’s father was present at the Wells Fargo Center for the first time this season, so it was clear that the center wanted to put on a show – and it succeeded even against admittedly weak curtsies. Already during the break the Cameroonian had collected 17 points, in the end there were 26, 14 rebounds and 7 assists.

Early in the fourth quarter, Sixers coach Brett Brown was able to put his starters on the bench because the game was decided early. Philly led with up to 31 points and did not give the guests a single lead. J.J. Redick (24) was already in the first quarter with 14 points hot and helped that the Sixers brought a whopping 41 points in the first section on the scoreboard.

Thus the hosts rehabilitated themselves for the embarrassing home defeat against Cleveland a few days ago and increased their home balance to 11-1. Ben Simmons delivered 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 dimes, while Jimmy Butler (7, 3/7 FG) had a very cosy evening.

His Crunchtime skills were simply not needed, because the Knicks couldn’t find a recipe against the good Sixers defense. The visitors scored just 35 percent from the field, with Tim Hardaway (5, 1/11 FG) in particular not being very successful. Best scorers of the Knicks were Mario Hezonja and Enes Kanter with 17 points each, Damyean Dotson attracted attention with 16 points from the bench.

It was not a game for Offense, so it needed individual class to decide this game. This was the result for Utah Donovan Mitchell, who scored 12 points (29 in total) in the last six minutes and gave Jazz an important success.

Mitchell didn’t look rusty at all in his first game after his rib bruise and made one of his best games of the season. That was necessary, because the Nets had a lead of 11 points in the third quarter, but could not conserve it and scored in the final section just 13 points.

Also the rest of the game could be generated only a few reasonable offense, as 34 percent from the field prove. D’Angelo Russell, who actually needed 25 throws for 14 points, had a particularly hard time. Topscorer of the Nets was Spencer Dinwiddie with 18 points, plus Jarrett Allen (14, 10 rebounds) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (14 and 11) double doubles.

The guests Rudy Gobert (23, 16 rebounds) also had a similar success, he also blocked 4 throws. From the bench, Royce O’Neale (13, 3/3 triple) and Raul Neto (11) were positive factors for the guests, while the shooting problems of Ricky Rubio (0/6 FG) remain an issue.

Page 1: Embiid dominates – Utah wins defensive battle

Page 2: Middleton saves the Bucks – Wolves overrun San Antonio

Page 3: Westbrook cracks Kidd – Lillard with 7 triples in a quarter