Damian Lillard is proving himself as one of the top-5 players in basketball. He will most likely be crowned the bubble MVP for leading Portland to the playoffs. He has done so by dropping 50 or more points in two different games. Lillard has had an astonishing six 50 point games this season. However, despite that, his team is still going to be in the play-in match against the Memphis Grizzlies for the playoffs.

Dame is already enjoying the plaudits for becoming one of the finest scorers in the game today. His 50-point terrors have brought him within a game’s reach of LeBron James in a unique statistic. Lillard is currently third amongst active players in 50-point games. James Harden leads the way with 23 50-point games. The greatest player of this generation, LeBron James is second on that list with 12. Dame is third with 11. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry tie for fourth amongst active players, having had six 50-point games each. Russell Westbrook is after them with 5.

Damian Lillard to cross LeBron James?

With the scoring pace of both men, Lillard looks like he will definitely cross LeBron on this list. LeBron’s highest-scoring game this season was against the New Orleans Pelicans when he dropped 40 points. Dame on the other hand has had multiple 50-point games this season. For perspective, LeBron’s highest-scoring game this season would be Dame’s 12th highest-scoring game.

Lillard is on track to possibly surpass LeBron in tomorrow’s play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies. His shooting has been that hot in the bubble. However, LeBron James is known to turn a switch on in his play when the playoffs come around, so he may be looking to drop 50 in a game himself.

If Portland were to qualify for the playoffs, their first-round series will come against the first seeded LA Lakers. This would bring a direct Damian Lillard and LeBron James matchup. LeBron may be the one to guard Dame in those games, with the Lakers not having many elite guard defenders to handle Dame, C.J. McCollum, and Gary Trent Jr. Question is, will either man extend their places on that list during these playoffs?

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