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Damian Lillard, Path Blazers escape with win vs. Nets to reach enjoy-in round
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Ninety-a single seconds into the fourth quarter of a video game that would decide the Portland Trail Blazers’ fate, Damian Lillard took just one stage about fifty percent court and introduced a 3-pointer that felt as nevertheless it traveled halfway to Oregon.
Like so lots of of Lillard’s other remarkable plays over the past two months, the ball dropped softly by way of the hoop. In reaction, the Brooklyn Nets identified as timeout. And though the Blazers nonetheless trailed by 4 at that stage, it felt inescapable that Lillard — the undisputed MVP of this NBA bubble at the Walt Disney Globe Vacation resort — would obtain a way to save Portland just one much more time.
In the end, he did just that, ending with 42 details — such as 12 in the fourth quarter — to elevate Portland to a coronary heart-stopping 134-133 victory more than the Nets, and with it earning the Blazers the eighth seed in the Western Conference and a place this weekend in the NBA’s to start with engage in-in tournament.
“I just did not want to be far too passive,” Lillard said afterward. “So, as I was bringing the ball up, I explained, ‘As before long as I see an option, I am gonna increase up.'”
It was a preposterous shot — just like many other people Lillard has thrown in more than the past two weeks in foremost Portland to a 6-2 file, allowing for the Blazers to complete a half-activity ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies, their opponent in the enjoy-in spherical this weekend, and the Phoenix Suns. And Portland has wanted every solitary a person of them, as Lillard scored 51 factors to conquer the Philadelphia 76ers, 61 points to defeat the Dallas Mavericks and now 42 factors to conquer the Nets — games the Blazers received by a combined seven points.
“We necessary every one of [those points],” Blazers coach Terry Stotts explained with a smile.
He wasn’t kidding, as Lillard grew to become the first participant in NBA background to rating at least 40 points in a few consecutive game titles his group won by three or much less points, in accordance to Elias Athletics Bureau information.
But when Stotts fulfilled with his group soon after Thursday night’s video game, it wasn’t Lillard’s 3 from fifty percent court that he confirmed the group, nor was it Gary Trent Jr.‘s major corner 3-pointer with in excess of two minutes to participate in that gave Portland the guide or Jusuf Nurkic‘s layup or CJ McCollum‘s vital midrange jumper that followed it.
As an alternative, he showed the staff a pair of performs: Lillard diving on the floor at half court for a unfastened ball, and Nurkic performing the identical on the baseline to secure a defensive rebound.
“People are the factors we have to do to acquire video games,” Stotts explained. “These performs, these two performs, designed a change.”
As a consequence, Portland has uncovered its way into the league’s inaugural enjoy-in match, wherever, as the eighth seed, the Blazers have to acquire just one particular of the two prospective enjoy-in video games (Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ABC and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) in order to deal with the Los Angeles Lakers in the very first round of the NBA playoffs. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, have to get both of those game titles to make the postseason.
Though the two groups in the hunt for participate in-in berths that gained earlier Thursday — the Grizzlies and Suns — scored victories in opposition to depleted Milwaukee Bucks and Mavericks teams, respectively, that ended up preparing for the playoffs, the Blazers got a comprehensive effort and hard work from the Nets.
Brooklyn will participate in the Toronto Raptors starting Tuesday in the initially round of the playoffs, but right after the Nets have experienced men in and out of the lineup more than the previous quite a few months, they selected to participate in their entire rotation its common allotment of minutes in buy to get ready.
“We are going to have our starting off lineup that we’ve had the very last couple games and see how those men development,” Nets mentor Jacque Vaughn claimed just before the recreation. “We are going to monitor these guys — but it is about us possessing a rhythm and type of development as we lead into the playoffs.
“So we’ll evaluate the match, see what the recreation renders, but those men have the psychological make-up correct now that they’re playing a aggressive basketball recreation.”
The Nets held that concentration during, as Caris LeVert (37 factors on 16-for-29 shooting with 9 assists) led Brooklyn to a 10-stage direct late in the third quarter. The Nets as a crew shot a scorching 59.7% from the field via three quarters towards Portland’s flammable protection, which entered Thursday’s game ranked 21st in defensive effectiveness.
But Portland, as it did in opposition to equally Philadelphia and Dallas, fought back again and took the guide with 1 minute, 45 seconds remaining on a layup by Nurkic that built it 132-130 Blazers, and McCollum doubled the direct with a totally free throw line jumper with 53.4 seconds left adhering to a frantic sequence in which Nurkic and Lillard both of those dove on people loose balls.
The Blazers gave up a multitude of offensive rebounds in the fourth, even so, and it appeared that would come again to charge Portland dearly when LeVert scored about Nurkic, as well as drew a foul, with 37.7 seconds remaining, reducing Portland’s lead to 134-133.
Portland had a likelihood to seal the video game when Carmelo Anthony experienced a extensive-open glance in the corner that would have pushed the guide again to four, but Anthony skipped. Brooklyn then arrived down and chose to perform for the win, with LeVert isolated from McCollum — whom he had relentlessly attacked in the fourth quarter.
But nevertheless LeVert obtained off a quality shot, it went seeking, and Portland was ready to breathe a big sigh of relief.
“As far as the shot, I just check out to examine the protection,” LeVert reported. “I come to feel like they taking part in the generate, I got to observe it once more, but these are all shots I exercise just about every and each and every day so I will dwell with that shot.”
None of that will matter, while, to Portland. As an alternative, the focus for the Blazers will be only to try to relaxation and recuperate for Saturday’s game against Memphis — and, possibly, the matchup with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers waiting around just after it.
If everyone thinks Portland is celebrating its accomplishment of achieving the enjoy-in spherical, think once more. The Blazers have greater things in head.
“I would say that we ended up content [and] relieved. We’re psyched to be in the play-in spherical. [But] it can be not like we have been jumping up and down,” Stotts claimed.
“We are the place we preferred to be. I really don’t assume anybody is around the moon right now. We know that we got a tricky opponent in Memphis, so there was no authentic time to celebrate.”
Fairly than celebrating, Lillard experienced one thing else in thoughts: a postgame ice tub to start preparing his overall body for Saturday’s showdown with the Grizzlies. But he mentioned his mind was currently raring to go.
“I’ll normally be prepared mentally,” Lillard said. “I’m under no circumstances concerned about that.”
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Benfica Chaves League Preview by Roger Schmidt
PREVIEW
ABOUT Benfica returns to competition, after a break from national team commitments, with the reception of Chaves this Friday, March 29, at 18:00 at the Estadio da Luz, in the game of the 27th round of the championship. Betkliche League.
Already preliminary press conferencewhich took place on the Benfica campus, Roger Schmidt emphasized that the team is in good shape meet with Chaveza rival who has nothing to lose when faced with the threat of relegation.
At the start of the decisive stage of the season, the coach remembered and praised that the Reds were still fighting for three trophies (Betklić League, Portuguese Taça and Europa League) and this was necessary. “We must use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate our highest level in everything.“, emphasized Roger Schmidt, distinguished Coach's Award at the ceremony dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the Club.
“We are in good shape, the first game is always demanding, but we are ready to play it.”
Roger Schmidt
What was it like preparing for this game against Chavez without any international players?
It was a typical international break, some players were with their teams, and I think it was a good opportunity for us to rest a bit and then get back to training. We did it very well and are excited to play again. Playing at home after the national team break is always a good start. All the national team players returned in good shape, a little tired, but without injuries. I'm happy with that, my biggest fear is always that they will get injured. We are in good shape, the first match is always demanding, but we are ready to play it. The decisive phase of the season begins and everything we have done over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks. We have six or seven weeks left to play, we still have three competitions to play and it really is a special season. When you can still win three trophies at the end of March, it's a very good season. Our task is to use this opportunity and this moment to accelerate to the highest level in everything. So, anything is possible. We have this expectation. For tomorrow [sexta-feira, 29 de março]Chavez and I know that this team is always difficult to play against. They are facing relegation, they have nothing to lose at our stadium. This is a good team, they have a good coach, and we have to solve this problem.
How did you feel when you left the Club’s 120th anniversary ceremony?
On Tuesday [26 de março], The gala was impressive. It always gives us a feeling of how great the Club is and how much love and passion there is in it. I'm always pleased to see that and how Benfica treats their history, former players and everything else. It's always something special and I'm so glad to be a part of it. We want to take this opportunity to please everyone around Benfica and within Benfica.
“Playing at home after the international break is always good”
Are you considering resting Otamendi and Di Maria for this game against Chavez before the two matches against Sporting? Is Ba suitable?
Of course they could rest. The question is: “Would it be beneficial for them to rest?” Both players like to play consistently and quickly. Sometimes they need a rest, like I gave Angel a few times. [Di María], when he played a lot of games in a row and there were big games ahead of us. Sometimes it makes sense to keep them out, but they are both key players for us and have performed at the highest level all season. I always have to make a decision about what is best for us and the players. Are they ready to play at this pace? They have shown this over the last 15 years. Are you ready to return to the club after the national team games and play again? They have also shown this over the past 15 years. I have no doubt that they are ready for tomorrow. [sexta-feira], play. Alex Ba is fine, we still have a little problem with load management, he had a problem and we want to be careful that it doesn't happen again. He's fine now, it was good not to play for the national team, he trained again and we tried to rest him at the right time. He's ready to play.
Di Maria has been going through a turbulent time for several days now: he and his family have received death threats. Is the player 100% physically and mentally ready for this game and the rest of the season?
What happened to him and his family shows how crazy the world is. It is catastrophic and catastrophic if something like this happens. It is clear that receiving such messages affects the player and the individual. We try to support him as best we can. He is professional and experienced enough to handle such situations, but such situations are completely difficult and rare, especially in a family. This is the worst thing that could happen, but we talked about it. He is trying to live a normal life. Of course, when something like this happens, some thoughts arise in your head, so we will try to support you as best we can.
“It’s time for all of us to show a very good attitude and performance on the field.”
In the last game of the championship, he said that a player who does what Kökçu did cannot be in the team. So, have you spoken to him? Can we expect him to be in the team for this game against Chaves?
As I said during the challenge with Casa Pia [26.ª jornada], my concern was to focus on the game. It would have been better not to mention him in this interview. He returned today [quinta-feira], we talked about it and it was actually exactly what I expected. It was not his intention to create this noise and negativity around our team. I already said before and after the Casa Pia game that I have complete confidence in him as a player, in terms of quality and also in his character. You made a mistake, this interview did no good to anyone. It was not good for us, for him and for Benfica, that's very clear. Now we have to deal with this. Even when players make mistakes, they are still my players, and sometimes I have to support them in difficult times. This is what we have to do, we've talked about it and now it's time to talk about it on the pitch. It's time for all of us, not just him, to demonstrate a very good mentality and performance in field. Everything that is not good for us, that can distract our attention a little, should be excluded. We have resolved this situation domestically and it is time to look forward. I'll be back tomorrow with the team [sexta-feira].
Kökçu was in the Turkish national team. Do you feel that your role in the national team is different from your role in Benfica?
I think I've said everything about Orkun. [Kökcü]. National teams and clubs are always different. These are different players, different tactical approaches. I don't think much about the choice. National team coaches have their own ideas, their own goals, and they must use the players as they see fit. I'm focused on what's happening here on our team, not just with Orkun. [Kökcü], but in general. Players who make it to national teams love to do it because it's a great honor for everyone. The national teams are preparing for summer competitions… These are two different things, and I am completely focused on the Club.
“Everything we did over the last eight or nine months of this season had to be prepared for these weeks.”
As for Juan Bernat, who was seen in training, will he be fit enough to contribute by the end of the season?
All of us, including himself, expected a different season. He is a very experienced player. Unfortunately, he came in with a minor injury, but he recovered and played a few minutes for us in five or six matches. Not full games, but a few minutes. He has been injured since the end of October, for five months now. I think now is not the time to think too much about next season, we need to think about it. He's working hard to get back on the field. He returned to training with the team this week, the first time in five months he has returned and we hope that he stabilizes with the workload, the football load and, of course, that he makes an impact in the last six or seven years. weeks. This is his situation at the moment. We are on a good track and we hope it will have a good impact at the end of the season.
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″I couldn’t leave without winning this award″
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″Most competitive costume required, Pepe’s costume″
Statements by Sergio Conceiçao after receiving the Golden Coach of the Year award at the Golden Dragons Gala
Golden Dragon cost: “I represent many people in this Golden Dragon. The first time I went to Olival with the president in 2017, he named the four essential pillars of FC Porto: rigor, competence, ambition and passion. Looking at it and being with it every day. My players, who don’t usually wear a formal suit as they do today, but the most competitive suit that is required, which is Pepe’s suit, give me great joy when I get up and go to work.”
Technical team and others: “With a super competent technical team, a health department, where there is not only Dr. Nelson Puga and therapists, but also an optometrist, pedologist, a number of people who work daily so that the players do not miss anything. and so that year after year they can get better and win, which is what we want.”
Techniques: “Victory. Not forgetting the people in the kitchen, in the restaurant, the people involved in analysis and observation, the equipment technicians, because today everyone is a technician… [risos]🇧🇷 Lawn techniques too, because I am very picky about the height of the lawn. I think that every detail is important and matters. Finally, a number of people who contribute to making this possible. This is not mine, this belongs to the people of Olival, who are always led by our great, my friend and godfather, the president.”
A family: “Finally, to paraphrase our Gonzalinho [Borges], I want to dedicate it completely to my family, which is not easy, and parents, as always. Not being among us, they will certainly be very proud, not least because they have received two more extremely important people in the life of the club and that together they are up there watching us so that FC Porto becomes bigger , was getting better. , become stronger and win. And let’s keep it up. Is always. Because we deserve it. We are also honest, serious, dedicated and competent workers.”
Social media junkie. Incurable analyst. Food enthusiast. Subtly charming travel scholar.
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