Despite being among the top five teams in the Western Conference, heading to their contest on Thursday against the Orlando Magic, the Portland Trail Blazers were reeling after dropping their last three games.
They came into the game at 12-3, looking to get back in the winner's circle, but they quickly found themselves trailing at half-time by eight points.
However, in the second half, it looked like their All-Star Damian Lillard had had enough. Dropping 23 points in the third quarter (7 made 3's), Lillard led the Blazers to a much-needed comeback win on their home floor.
Damian Lillard heats up for 23 PTS (7 3PM) in the 3rd quarter on @NBATV! #RipCity 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/i3OyVeSfrs
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2018
Lillard's third-quarter onslaught opened the game up for the Blazers but a late 10-0 Magic in the fourth quarter ensured the game was competitive right up until the final buzzer. He finished the game with 41 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals on 59.1% shooting and 66.7% from beyond the arc (10-of-15) but Lillard made headlines with his franchise-record 10 made-threes.
Note: He drilled the 10 3s only in the first three quarters.
Damian Lillard (41 PTS) sinks a franchise record 10 3-pointers to fuel the @trailblazers in Portland! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/UJcTgwREfc
— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2018
Coincidentally, Lillard also scored 41 points in the team's earlier encounter against the Magic in Orlando on Oct. 25.
Lillard put himself alongside some elite company across the league, becoming the fourth player in the last five seasons to make 10 or more three's through three quarters.
The Blazers' 13-8 record is currently best for fifth in the West, only 1.5 games behind the top-seeded LA Clippers.
