The Trail Blazers beat the Pacers in Lillard’s return from injury
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers over the Indiana Pacers 116-100 on Sunday night.
Blazers star Damian Lillard had 21 points and six assists in his first game since returning from a calf strain he suffered on Nov. 19. He has missed 12 games this season.
“It felt good, especially last night. We got a big win and I just wanted to cheer the team on and bring that energy to get on a winning streak,” Lillard said. “I felt normal, I felt good. I think this time it wasn’t as bad as the first time.”
Anfernee Simons had 22 points and six assists on the night, while Jusuf Nurkic had 19 points and six rebounds.
The win helped Portland sweep a back-to-back series after beating Utah on Saturday night.
A night after Grant and Simons combined for 78 points in a win at Utah, Lillard wanted to make sure their return didn’t lead to them rejecting their own offense.
“Don’t let it stop you from being aggressive,” Lillard said of Grant and Simons, who combined to score 50 in Sunday’s win. “I will have the ball in my hands and I will find opportunities to do what I do. That’s what I do.”
Myles Turner led the Pacers with 24 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Hield had 22 points as the Pacers were without starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Lillard connected on his first field goal attempt: a step-back 3-pointer from the corner. With Lillard back in uniform, Portland kept the Pacers at bay for much of the game. Although the Pacers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter by hitting six of 10 shots, Portland was in control for most of the game.
“I think early in the second half we lost some of our principles defensively,” Turner said. “We got a little too excited offensively and it hurt our defense. We have to play 48 minutes of basketball.”
The Blazers were hot from outside, shooting 17-for-40 (42.5%) from the 3-point line. Ball movement was key for Portland as they had 32 assists on 42 field goals made.
“If we’re really going to win, then it’s got to be collective, too,” Lillard said. “It’s really encouraging for me to see it really unfold.”
Lillard picked up his third foul in the second quarter and the Blazers pulled him for the final 2:24 of the first half. During Lillard’s stint on the bench to close the first half, the Blazers extended their lead to 54-49.
A 3-pointer by Grant extended the lead to 69-53 with 8:54 left in the third quarter and a 3-pointer by Simons made it 89-67 with less than two minutes left in the quarter. Portland took a 93-74 lead into the final period.
Portland held a 22-point lead several times Sunday night.
The Pacers showed some grit to start the fourth quarter, cutting Portland’s lead to 11 a few times, but that was as close as they would get in the final period.
HALIBURTON OUT
Haliburton missed his first game of the season Sunday with a groin injury.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said he also expects Haliburton to sit out when the Pacers travel to the Bay Area to face the Golden State Warriors.
UNTIL THE NEXT
Indiana: At Golden State Warriors Monday night.
Portland: Host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
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