PORTLAND — Pandemonium resided inside the Moda Center on Wednesday night. In the Portland Trail Blazers opening night bout against the visiting Phoenix Suns, Damian Lillard led an offensive onslaught, as the Blazers drained 19 3-pointers on a 40.4 percent clip to win 124-83. Lillard finished with a game-high 25 points.
An 11-0 run to start the game sent the crowd into a frenzy. The run eventually ended at 21-0, with Portland’s defense keeping the Suns scoreless through the first six minutes, the Blazers led 43-12 heading into the second quarter.
The Blazers’ +31 margin in the first quarter is tied for their largest positive margin after any first quarter in team history, according to the team. Leading 72-39 at the half, the 33-point advantage was Portland’s largest ever lead at the half in a season opener.
Beyond Lillard, Deni Avdija had 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Toumani Camara scored 18 points on a highly efficient shooting performance, while Ja Morant thrilled in his official debut, registering 14 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a game-high +33 plus/minus.
Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams combined for 17 rebounds. Scoot Henderson finished with 15 points on 50 percent overall shooting from the field.
This is the point where we all agree that season openers are probably not worth musing over. But that’s no fun, so here’s two instant observations.
A beloved Dame
You’d think Lillard could walk on water the way fans reacted to the 13-year veteran, holding their breath every time he touched the ball, desperately pleading for a reason to erupt. Before the game even began Lillard stood at middle court to deliver a message, but the crowd didn’t let him speak at first. He wouldn’t have been heard if he tried, a deafening roar permeating throughout the arena.
“I think that was joyful for me to have the crowd cheer for me even before I did the welcome for the crowd before the anthem,” Lillard said postgame. “It’s no secret the relationship between myself and our fans in the city of Portland.
There’s not many active players in the NBA that have such a connection not only with the city they play in, but were also drafted by. It’s probably just him and Stephen Curry. I’ve personally never seen anything like it. Doubtful anyone in the arena forgets the moment anytime soon.
“Quite honestly, I did,” Portland head coach Micah Nori said about whether he felt emotional seeing the fans’ reception toward Lillard. “And then I asked him … ‘Was that ovation for you or me?’”
A sappy Micah Nori
With almost three decades of experience in the NBA, Nori’s finally been handed the reigns to a franchise. His first career win couldn’t have been scripted better.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think that we were going to have the start we did, and play as well as we did, and win by as many as we did,” Nori said. “It exceeded expectations from a sense that you just appreciate the guys and how much it actually — and you felt it — how much it meant to them for me, and the staff and all that. So, I think quite honestly it meant a lot.”
Nori’s parents were in attendance along with his wife, Melissa.
“I think when I look up there, and you have an 84-year-old dad and an 82-year-old mom, and they’re able to fly all the way to Portland from Middletown, Ohio, and take a connecting flight through Phoenix — which my mom should never be a travel agent — but for them to be here and for me to look up… it means a lot,” Nori said. “It’s full circle. My dad coached me from the time I was three, four foot high, and I know that a lot of us, their parents have impacted their lives, and it’s no different for me. Special night.”
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