Damian Lillard Hoping For Home Court In Postseason, With One Week Remaining
Apr 3, 2019, 4:34 PM
Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket past Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Little Caesars Arena on March 30, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 99-90. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Weber State star Damian Lillard is doing all that he can to get the Trail Blazers to the playoffs with home court advantage, despite not having C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic.
Kyle Kuzma is trying to help the Lakers to a respectable record despite missing the postseason.
Delon Wright has a new career-high in steals as he continues to bring in big minutes for Memphis.
Jakob Poeltl’s minutes have decreased recently as the Spurs prepare for the postseason.
Jimmer Fredette played in one game for the Suns.
Andrew Bogut has moved to the bench, but putting in key minutes for the defending champs.
Frank Jackson missed the Pelicans last two games with a concussion.
Here’s how the locals did during Week 24 of the NBA season from Wednesday, March 27 to Tuesday, April 2:
Former Utes
Kyle Kuzma – Los Angeles Lakers (35-43)
The Lakers have won four of their last six games.
Kyle Kuzma had a team-high 21 points to go with his 2 rebounds and 2 blocks in their loss to the Jazz.
He posted 20 points and 3 rebounds on 9-of-16 shooting from the field in the Lakers’ win over the Hornets.
Kuzma missed the last two games of the week against the Pelicans and Thunder with an injury.
This season, the former Ute is averaging 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Clear the runway! pic.twitter.com/6mUGnBmk5G
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 30, 2019
NEXT UP: The Lakers have four games during Week 25, their last of the season. They will host the Golden State Warriors before facing the Clippers on the road. The final two games are at home against the Jazz and Trail Blazers.
Jakob Poeltl – San Antonio Spurs (45-32)
The Spurs have lost three of their last five games. They clinched a playoff spot.
Jakob Poeltl recorded 4 points, 2 rebounds and 3 blocks in 19 minutes in their win over the Cavaliers.
He had 2 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes in their loss to Sacramento.
The former Ute finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes of play in the Spurs’ win over the Hawks.
This season, Poeltl is averaging 5.4 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.
NEXT UP: The Spurs will have four games left in their regular season during Week 25. They will travel to Denver, Washington and Cleveland before hosting Dallas.
Delon Wright – Memphis Grizzlies (31-46)
Delon Wright started the week with 5 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in the Grizzlies’ loss to the Warriors.
He recorded 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and a career-high 5 steals in 28 minutes of play in their win over the Suns.
Wright posted 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 blocks in the Grizzlies’ loss to the Clippers.
The former Ute is averaging 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1 steal per game this season.
With 20 points and 8 rebounds, Delon Wright got the @BassProShops #TrophyGame pic.twitter.com/qlOdAefOwJ
— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 1, 2019
NEXT UP: Memphis will play their final five games during Week 25, beginning on the road against Portland and Dallas before they face the Mavericks at home. They will travel to Detroit and finish at home against the Warriors.
Andrew Bogut – Golden State Warriors (53-24)
Andrew Bogut had 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 7 minutes in their win over the Grizzlies.
He recorded 1 rebound in two minutes as the Warriors beat the Timberwolves in overtime.
Bogut chipped in 6 points, 8 rebounds and 1 block in 11 minutes in their win over the Hornets.
The former Ute posted 4 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in the Warriors’ win over the Nuggets.
NEXT UP: The Warriors will have five games during Week 25 to finish their regular season. They will travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers before hosting Cleveland and the LA Clippers. The Warriors will finish on the road against New Orleans and Memphis.
Former Wildcats
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers (49-28)
The Trail Blazers went 3-1 during Week 24.
Damian Lillard dropped 11 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists in the Blazers’ win over the Bulls.
He recorded 36 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists in their 20-point win over the Hawks.
Lillard posted 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists in the Blazers’ loss to the Pistons.
He finished the week with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists in their win over the Timberwolves.
The former Wildcat is averaging 26.1 points, 6.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game this season.
25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists & a 3-1 record.
Take a look at highlights from Western Conference Player of the Week, @dame_lillard 🎥 pic.twitter.com/43z7Usqqe1
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 1, 2019
NEXT UP: Portland will play their final five games of the regular season during Week 25. They will host Memphis before facing the Nuggets in Denver and at home. The Blazers finish with a road game against the Lakers and a home game against the Kings.
Former Cougars
Jimmer Fredette – Phoenix Suns (18-60)
Former BYU star Jimmer Fredette did not play in the Suns loss to the Wizards and Grizzlies.
He played in 6 minutes in their win over the Cavaliers and scored 6 points and handed out 1 assist.
NEXT UP: The Suns will play their final four games of the season during Week 25, beginning at home against the Jazz and Pelicans. They will travel to Houston and Dallas to end the season.
Former High School Standouts
Frank Jackson – New Orleans Pelicans (32-46)
Former Lone Peak star Frank Jackson did not play in the Pelicans two games in Week 24 with a concussion.
NEXT UP: The Pelicans will play their final four games during Week 25, beginning at home against Charlotte. They will travel to Phoenix and Sacramento before hosting Golden State.
