Takeaways from Toronto Raptors distressing loss vs Portland Trail Blazers

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 07: Kent Bazemore #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes up for a shot as Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 07, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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Toronto Raptors (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Lillard is the difference

There are mortals, and then there are superstars. After watching Damian Lillard in the second half against the Toronto Raptors, it’s easy to see which category he fits in to.

Lillard was the difference-maker for the Portland Trail Blazers as they clawed their way back to victory after trailing for, virtually, the entirety of the game. Outscoring the Raptors 55-43 in the second half, the Trail Blazers, led by Lillard’s superb performance, took down the shorthanded home team.

As always, Lillard was at the center of everything good for the Trail Blazers, even if his first-half performance was a little quiet. Overall, Lillard only finished with 20 points, along with four rebounds and nine assists, but 18 of his points tally on the night came in the second half when he really started to heat up.

Lillard is shooting a career-high 9.5 three-pointers per game on a 36-percent clip, and he used all of his deadeye shooting to will the Blazers to victory, shooting 4-of-7 from deep. It would be Carmelo Anthony’s job to come up with the game-winner, but only moments before, Lillard tied the game at 99-99 with the deepest of triples — even if the screen from Hassan Whiteside was a bit of a no-no.

Regardless, Lillard’s second-half explosion was worthy of winning any game, and the Portland Trail Blazers were the clear beneficiaries.

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