Damian Lillard's 41 Points Push Blazers Past Magic
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is starting off on the wrong foot in its four-game homestand after a 122-119 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Sunday night.
The Magic and Blazers kept things kosher and close throughout the game, as neither team took a double-digit lead. The biggest lead during the game came late in the third quarter when Portland pieced together a 9-0 run after three consecutive triples when the game was tied at 83.
But the Magic bridged the gap in the fourth quarter.
Portland and Orlando kept volleying throughout the final frame, and it was tied at 113 with less than a minute to play.
Blazers wing Nassir Little knocked down a clutch three with 35 seconds to go to take a lead, and the Magic answered with a pair of free throws from Franz Wagner.
On the ensuing possession, All-Star Damian Lillard was sent to the free throw line to score his 38th and 39th points of the game, which led all scorers.
It turned into a free throw game from there, but the Magic had one last chance with 4.3 seconds to go but Paolo Banchero missed the final shot at the buzzer and Orlando dropped a game it wishes it had back.
The Magic returns to the court Tuesday night in a rematch against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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