‘Guy Does in the 4th Quarter’: Pelicans’ Coach Admits There is No Scheme to Limit Damian Lillard

The Portland Trail Blazers won their sixth game in a row tonight. They beat the New Orleans Pelicans in a close game, winning by just two points. Damian Lillard was once again the star of the show, as he had a massive 40-point bomb.

Prior to their game, Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy knew Lillard would be the main threat. “If there was a scheme to limit Damian Lillard, he wouldn’t be Damian Lillard. Anyone who watches the NBA, anyone who has a television, knows what this guy does in the 4th quarter,” Gundy said, via Jay Allen of RipCity Radio.

Sadly for Van Gundy, his prediction came true. Lillard hit the game-winning layup for the Blazers in the final seconds and also earned a foul in that process. He successfully nailed the free-throw, which gave them a two-point lead. The Pelicans failed to hit the game-winner after that, and the Blazers walked away with the win.

Should Lillard be in the MVP conversations?

After 28 games, the Trail Blazers sit fourth in the Western Conference. Nobody would have expected this to happen, considering how tough the West is and also since the Blazers are without two of their best players in CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic.

But Lillard is single-handedly taking them to wins, and tonight’s 43 points and 16 assists performance showed that he means business. If the Blazers can continue this form, Lillard will warrant a place in the MVP conversations and could fight with Stephen Curry for a spot in the All-NBA first team.

Damian Lillard: All-Star starter?

The Trail Blazers star has made the All-Star team five times but has never got a chance to start. Tonight’s performance is another reminder that he deserves the opportunity.

After tonight’s game, Lillard is averaging 29.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. He is also shooting 45% from the field, 38% from three, and 93% from the free-throw line. He is competing for a spot with Luka Doncic since Curry has got the other spot locked up. It is going to be an intense voting, and even if Lillard misses out due to fan voting, he has done his best and deserves a starting spot.

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