------ Hassan Whiteside finished with a near triple-double 16 points, 22 rebounds, and seven blocks and Damian Lillard scored 29 points as the Portland Trail Blazers won their fourth-straight game 113-106 over the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night at Moda Center.
Hassan Whiteside is kicking butt and taking names.
Whiteside dominated the paint with 16 points, 22 rebounds, and seven blocks as the Portland Trail Blazers made it four-in-a-row with a 113-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night at Moda Center.
Whiteside now has a double-double in 14-straight games, which is the second longest streak in franchise history and he now leads the NBA in blocks with 73 on the season.
“I’m a defensive guy,” Whiteside said. “I feel like I’m the best rim protector in the league. Even last year with all of the naysayers or whatever, you look at who protected the rim and messed up the (opponent’s) field goal percentage. It was me there. So, I feel like I’m the best rim protector. It’s not even close.”
Damian Lillard got Portland off to a quick start scoring 12 points in the first quarter helping build a 27-23 lead. The Blazers pushed the lead to 61-52 at halftime with Lillard and CJ McCollum combining for 32 points in the first half.
The Timberwolves responded with a 7-0 run to open the second half thanks to five quick turnovers from the Blazers and cut the deficit to 83-79 entering fourth quarter. Minnesota would tie the game twice in the fourth quarter, but timely threes from Lillard and McCollum kept Portland ahead.
Whiteside got a putback with 41 seconds remaining making the score 107-100 ending Minnesota's comeback attempt.
“When he’s playing like that, we’re going to have a great chance to win the games,” Lillard said. “On both ends of the floor, making free throws, making jumpers, being in the paint, getting us extra possessions. He had a big tip-in down the stretch tonight. Coming up big with all those blocks, he’s been huge for us.”
Up Next- The Trail Blazers closeout a four-game homestand Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- The Wolves will see Hassan Whiteside in their sleep.