Big Blog of Basketball: Nightly Recap- Jan. 5

Top Performances

Damian Lillard (Portland PG)- Went off for 39 points (12-21 FG, 4 3PM) in a 98-94 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Lillard tortured the Lakers throughout the game Monday, scoring 15 points in the final six minutes to seal the win for Portland. It was his third game of 30 or more points in the last three weeks, and he is starting to enter the conversation as one of the top point guards in the Western Conference.

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Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota C)- Put up a double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds in a 110-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Dieng also blocked three shots, and continues to earn solid minutes in the rotation with Nikola Pekovic injured.

Brook Lopez (Brooklyn C)- Scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 96-88 overtime loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Lopez was hot early, scoring 18 points alone in the first quarter, and he also blocked four shots in the loss. His playing time is likely to be up and down depending on how much Kevin Garnett plays going forward.

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Quincy Acy (New York PF)- Tallied 19 points and 14 rebounds in a 105-83 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Acy shot the ball well Monday, hitting 7 of his 8 field goal attempts, including two 3-pointers in the loss.

Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Recorded yet another double-double of 27 points and 14 rebounds in a 114-105 win over the Houston Rockets. He hit 10 of 16 from the field, and all seven free throw attempts in the win. Gasol has found the fountain of youth this season, as he his averaging 18.3 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for the Bulls.

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Plays of the Night

Damian Lillard's 39-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers was one that kept the fans on their feet for most of the game. From acrobatic layups, to 3-pointers, the young point guard took over the game for Portland.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNxpKh-kJMY