Damian Lillard Takes Over The Big Easy

----- Damian Lillard became the fifth player in NBA history to reach 43 points and 16 assists in a game as the Portland Trail Blazers improved to 18-10 with a 126-124 victory over the Pelicans Wednesday night in New Orleans.

Damian Lillard takes over the Big Easy!

Damian Lillard became just the fifth player in NBA history to reach 43 points with 16 assists in a game as the Portland Trail Blazers won their sixth-straight game with a 126-124 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

With the win, the Blazers are streaking with an 8-1 record in their last nine games and are currently in fourth place in the Western Conference.

A developing theme over the last couple of weeks has been balance around Lillard. Gary Trent Jr. poured in 23 points, Derrick Jones Jr. scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, and Robert Covington finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots. He has 10 blocked shots in his last two games.

Zion Williamson led New Orleans (12-16) with 36 points and six rebounds and Lonzo Ball added 21 points and five assists.

The game was a wild back-and-forth affair.

Lillard had 11 fourth-quarter points and once again came up big for Portland Down the stretch. JJ Redick gave the Pelicans a 105-103 lead with 7:34 left, part of a 7-0 New Orleans run, but Lillard immediately hit a 3-pointer as Portland regained the lead. Anfernee Simons added a 3-pointer on the next possession to make it 109-105.

The Pelicans retook the lead on a pair of 3-pointers by Ball and Redick and led for the final time at 124-123 with 26.4 seconds left after Zion Williamson made two free throws. Williamson's finished with 36 points.

But Lillard drove past Ball on the left side of the lane for the layup and drew contact to put Portland up 126-124.

The Pelicans had a final chance, but Ball missed a 3-pointer and Brandon Ingram threw up an airball at the buzzer

Up Next- The Trail Blazers return home to meet the Washington Wizards Saturday at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.

Chad's Take- Damian Lillard is a cold piece. #MVP