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DAME TIME: Clutch Time Stats Prove Damian Lillard is Worthy of His Reputation

Published 03/04/2021, 8:48 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard put the nail in the coffin for the Golden State Warriors in their battle. Though the Warriors had a chance to close the game, Blazers still escaped with a victory and with 108-106, the game was over. It was the Warriors who had the 15-2 lead at the start of the matchup. But the Blazers eventually caught up to them. Thanks to Damian Lillard coming big during clutch moments, as usual, the Blazers took the win.

It was indeed, ‘Dame Time’. When the game is at its most crucial point, that’s exactly when Lillard reaches new heights of excellence. Even the stats for this season will back this up.

Damian Lillard taking it up a notch

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The Portland Trail Blazers bagged their second straight victory as they defeated the Warriors. While their outing against the Charlotte Hornets was quite breezy, this intense matchup forced Damian Lillard to bring out his alter ego in clutch moments. It was finally ‘Dame Time’.

He was struggling early in the game, shooting only 12 points on 3-of-12 from the field and 1-0f-6 from a distance. He is the one to blame for five of the team’s total ten turnovers when they were entering the fourth quarter. But he delivered when it mattered most.

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With almost 2 minutes left in the game, the Blazers were trailing 100-103 when something familiar came over Lillard. He ended up scoring the last eight points and ended up outscoring his rivals 8-3. Then with just 25 seconds left for the buzzer to go off, and the Blazers were down by a point, Lillard dropped a step-back three-pointer and that was it.

Being the player who gets the game-winning shot is a habit Lillard has developed. As per StatMuse, Lillard plays his best in clutch moments.

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Are the Blazers title contenders this year?

The Blazers are standing fifth in the West with a 20-14 record. This is incredible for a team that had to fight tooth and nail to get the eighth playoff seed last season. It seems like Damian Lillard’s Dame Time’ has been working wonders for them.

USA Today via Reuters

The last time, they were sent packing by the Lakers, but Lillard looks like he is in a different form this season. Ready to bring the championship home. However, in the competitive West, how long will the Blazers be able to survive.

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Read also- We Know What Damian Lillard Does on the Court – Not What He Goes Through Off It

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Written by:

Yashima Bhatia

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.
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