Lillard sets Trail Blazers record with 59 points in wini
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Damian Lillard poured in a career-high 59 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers past the Utah Jazz 101-86 on Saturday night at Moda Center.
Lillard broke the franchise scoring record of 54 points set by Damon Stoudamire in 2005. Lillard sank 18 of 34 shots from the field, 9 of 14 from 3-point range and 14 of 16 from the foul line.
It was the second straight victory for the Trail Blazers (40-40), whose magic number for gaining the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference is one. One Portland victory or one Denver loss clinches the berth for the Blazers.
Gordon Hayward scored 21 points for the Jazz (49-31), who fell into a tie for fourth place in the West with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Portland led 48-42 at the half thanks to 26 points by Lillard -- all in the first quarter.
Lillard added 19 points in the third quarter to stake the Blazers to a 77-60 advantage.
Portland increased the difference to 84-64 early in the fourth quarter. The Jazz made a belated run, closing within 88-76 on two free throws by Rodney Hood with 4:53 to play. But they got no closer.
Lillard tied his franchise quarter scoring record in the first on 9-of-14 shooting, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and 5 of 5 from the foul line.
The Blazers jumped out to 30-11 lead before Utah used a 7-0 spurt to get it within 30-18. Portland's edge was 34-20 after one quarter.
The Jazz cut the difference to 40-32 midway through the second quarter and went into intermission trailing by six points. Portland made only 7 of 30 shots from the field in the quarter.
NOTES: PG Damian Lillard matched a franchise record with nine 3-pointers, which he has done three times. He shares the record with Nicolas Batum. ... At halftime, Utah had 10 turnovers, the Blazers none. The disparity at game's end was 14-3. ... Portland was without G Allen Crabbe (foot). "Hopefully, he'll be able to play (Monday) against San Antonio," coach Terry Stotts said. ... Utah G George Hill (groin) missed his sixth straight game. "Wish I knew when we'll get him back," coach Quin Snyder said. ... With a second-quarter 3-pointer, Utah G Joe Johnson became the 42nd player to score 20,000 career points. "It's representative of who Joe is, his consistency and his excellence," Snyder said before the game. ... In the previous four games, Lillard had averaged 23.5 points but shot poorly — .333 from the field and .261 from 3-point range. ... Utah has clinched its first division championship since 2008. "It hasn't been something I've focused on, but a lot of people have mentioned it to me," Snyder said. "It's an accomplishment. It's representative of the job our players have done and the work they've put in the last few years to get to the point to have that happen."