NBA 2018-19: 3 Talking points from Portland Trail Blazers vs Boston Celtics

Final Score: Portland Trail Blazers beat Boston Celtics, 97-92

The Boston Celtics were on a three-game losing streak aiming to get back to winning ways. In contrast, the Portland Trail Blazers were high on confidence riding on a three-game win streak and were only looking to extend it.

It was a one-point game at the half time with Portland taking the lead. However, Lillard's third quarter exploits completely changed the situation in favour of the Blazers and they kept the momentum going into the fourth quarter to take care of the business.

With this win, the Blazers have swept the regular season series 2-0. In this article, let us take a look at three talking from the Blazers' win over the Celtics .

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#3 Kyrie Irving needs some help from his teammates

Kyrie Irving has been the only player showing up for the Celtics for quite some time

As great as Kyrie Irving is, he alone cannot win you basketball games. At least, not against tough opponents like Portland Trail Blazers. Basketball is a team sport and you need your players to support your centrepiece.

Irving has been the only player showing up for the Celtics for quite some time and it is time the others showed up. The 26-year-old had himself a night as he scored 31 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists, an impressive 58.3 percentage.

While players like Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown did show up and had a decent night, the rest of the roster were not very impressive. Tatum had only 14 points and struggled from the three-point line.

The Celtics' players definitely need to introspect and start being more consistent if they want to give themselves a chance of making it to the playoffs.

#2 Both the teams shot under 20 per cent from distance

Although both the teams have shooters who can knock them down, both the teams struggled from downtown

Boston and Portland are two of the top ten teams shooting from distance this year. However, both the teams struggled from downtown last night and combined for numbers their fans wouldn't love looking at.

The Celtics went 5-for-28 from beyond the arc and shot at a very poor 17.9 per cent. Barring Kyrie Irving, who shot 3-for-5 from the three-point line, the other four starters combined for 2-for-18 and the stat speaks for itself.

Portland also had a forgettable night as they combined for just 6-for-33 at a three-point field-goal percentage of just 18.1. The duo of Lillard and McCollum combined for 4-for-18 and their best shooter, Seth Curry, went 0-for-4.

It is worth mentioning that the teams did a great job defensively not allowing the opposition to get any open looks.

#1 Damian Lillard's red-hot performance

Damian Lillard's third-quarter heroics helped the Blazers go past the Celtics

Stat line: 33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals on 13-for-28 shooting

Is there anyone in this league who can guard Damian Lillard and stop him from scoring? Lillard has been on a tear all season long and is the prime reason for the Portland Trail Blazer's success.

They have a legit chance at toppling the Oklahoma City Thunder for the third spot and can even make a deep run in the playoffs. Fresh off the heels of a 21-point performance in the win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dame was once again in his elements as he dropped 33 points, including 15 in the third quarter to help the Blazers go past the Celtics.

Lillard struggled shooting from beyond the arc as he went 3-for-10 but was very dominant inside the paint and finished at the rim strongly.