PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) —
Damian Lillard scored a season-high 39 points to help the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 118-111 on Saturday night.
The All-Star guard, fighting his way out of a slump early in the season, was 10 for 21 from the field and made all 14 free throws.
“He earned every single one of those 14 free throws tonight,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “I think this is more what people are accustomed to seeing when he attacks, him getting double-figure free throws.”
Lillard struggled with his shot to start the season, shooting career-lows across the board. But the six-time All-Star believes he is starting to round into form on the offensive end.
CJ McCollum added 18 points, Norman Powell had 17, and Jusuf Nurkic finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Portland improved to 8-1 at home and, at 9-8, is above .500 for the first time since Oct. 31.
The Blazers closed the game with Larry Nance Jr. in place of Nurkic for the third straight game. After being subbed out for Nance with 4:23 remaining after committing two fouls seconds apart, Nurkic threw his mouthguard on the floor in frustration before Lillard spoke to him on the bench.