warum » to Knight here. Knight is taking big steps with his game. Ive w

Portland, OR (SportsNetwork.com) - Damian Lillard posted 26 points and nine assists, outdueling fellow star point guard Kyle Lowry and helping the Portland Trail Blazers rally past the Toronto Raptors, 102-97, in overtime. After Terrence Ross opened the extra session with a 3-pointer, Lillard, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum hit from deep at the other end on consecutive possessions. Patrick Patterson and Lowry countered with layups to make it 96-94, but a clear path foul on Toronto -- moments after a controversial no-call against Portland -- was the difference. First, Matthews got caught in the air and threw the ball up for grabs. Ross picked it off and was fouled by Lillard. The referees convened at the monitors to determine whether or not it was a clear-path foul on Lillard but ultimately ruled it a common foul. After Lowry missed a jumper with 27 seconds left, Greivis Vasquez committed a clear-path foul on Batum. He split two free throws, then Lillard made two to make it 99-94. Joel Freelands dunk following a press break in the final seconds sealed it. LeMarcus Aldridge added 23 points and 13 boards and Matthews scored 19 for Portland, which improved to 15-1 against the Eastern Conference. Lowry tallied 25 with seven rebounds and five assists for the Raptors, who still hold a half-game lead over Atlanta for the best record in the East. Lou Williams made five free throws in 15 seconds early in the second quarter to break a 25-25 tie and start an 11-0 run for Toronto. Toronto led by at least five until midway through the fourth quarter, when Aldridge followed a Steve Blake 3-pointer with a turnaround jumper to cut the deficit to 77-75. Lowry scored the next six points for the Raptors on a pull-up jumper and four free throws, but Toronto missed six shots in a row after that. Portland took advantage, drawing within one on Lillards hanging layup and tying it at 83 when Aldridge split a pair from the line. Aldridge could have given the hosts a lead, but he missed a sweeping layup and off-balance runner on the same possession. He made up for the misses two minutes later. Aldridge broke an 85-all tie with a silky mid-range jumper at 1:36. That score held until late, when an unlikely hero emerged. Freeland blocked Lowrys layup attempt twice in the final 30 seconds. His swat out of bounds with 10.1 on the clock led to Toronto inbounding from underneath their basket. It was passed in to Amir Johnson, who after failing to get the ball to Lowry, went to work in the post on Freeland and converted a difficult hook shot to tie it. Lillards driving layup fell short at the buzzer. Game Notes Portland has won nine of its last 10 ... The Blazers improved to 10-1 when Matthews scores at least 19 points and 12-2 when they make more than 10 3- pointers as a team ... Portland is 15-2 at home this season ... Toronto shot 4-for-22 from behind the arc. Martin St. Louis Jersey . Coming off a 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea on Saturday, Arsenal endured another demoralizing result after rallying for a 2-1 lead -- only to concede a fluke equalizer. Victor Hedman Lightning Jersey . Interestingly, the culprits were not rookies, but well paid, experienced pros. The first gaffe came in the 24th minute of arguably the biggest early season MLS game in history between Seattle and Toronto. Sounder newcomer Marco Pappa, (with over 100 MLS games, and 39 Guatemalan Caps to his name) attempted a back pass to one of his central defenders. http://www.lightninghockeystore.us/Vincent-Lecavalier-Jersey/ . The 29-year-old German, the 2011 overall World Cup champion, says she has decided "to end my career now. Ryan McDonagh Lightning Jersey . -- The Kelowna Rockets earned their 16th straight win with a 7-2 rout of the Portland Winterhawks in Western Hockey League action Thursday. Mikhail Sergachev Jersey . Bilbaos first victory in four rounds lifted it four points clear of Real Sociedad and kept it in command of Spains last Champions League berth for next season. In contrast, Betis was left 11 points from safety after a dismal performance that at times bordered on self-destruction amid some questionable refereeing decisions.FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS: 1. GREIVIS VASQUEZ (Raptors): This is a bit of an adjustment period for Vasquez, as he deals with slightly reduced minutes (21.5 to 18.5) and hes struggled with his shooting (.340 FG% and .250 3P%) and hes only averaging 2.5 assists per game. He seems to be pressing a bit when hes out there, because opportunities are tight with the addition of Lou Williams and James Johnson in the perimeter rotation. I look at it all as a positive problem team-wise, yet something to keep an eye on to see if Vasquez will earn a bigger role (he and Kyle Lowry were quite effective together last season) as the season progresses. I love his energy, guts and swagger, but this means theres lots of internal competition, which is good. Terrence Ross must be feeling it, too - if hes inconsistent, I have no doubt that Dwane Casey, with greater options now, wont hesitate to play a Vasquez, Williams or Johnson in his place, with which I agree. Again, this is a nice issue to have. 2. JIMMY BUTLER (Bulls): I love this guy and Im sure Raptors fans are hoping that Terrence Ross can become this type of two-way player. Already a big time wing stopper, Butlers offence is sky-rocketing, averaging 21.3 PPG and 6.3 RPG, along with 3.4 APG. His shooting has improved greatly (.533 FG% and .391 3P%) and hes on his way to a big pay day, thats for sure. You can get better - a lot better - as a pro. Butler is case in point. 3. DERRICK FAVORS (Jazz): Favors is really coming into his own averaging 16.9 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Hes a load to deaal with in the post, can put it on the floor a little bit and has a decent game 12-feet and in.dddddddddddd. Favors plays hard and is consistent and is really starting to settle into a groove. The Jazz play through him in the post and he deserves the teams trust. Hes a good one. 4. BRANDON KNIGHT (Bucks): I mentioned coach Jason Kidd last week and a fine example of his leadership (a future Hall of Fame point guard) and that pertains to Knight here. Knight is taking big steps with his game. Ive watched the Bucks a few times already getting prepared on my off nights for upcoming Raptors opponents and I love what hes doing. Hes consistently putting up major numbers (18.3 PPG, 6.4 APG, 6.0 RPG, .449 FG%, .405 3P% and .875 FT%), while being in greater control of the team and putting teammates in spots to shine. Knight is a neat development to watch. 5. BRIAN SHAW (Nuggets): Im watching this 2-7 Nuggets team and I dont see lots of life or competitive spirit, overall. This is a dangerous time and Shaws got to get his team playing with greater urgency. Ive watched them a few times and Im shocked by how soft theyre playing. I was stunned to watch them give up 84 first-half points the other night to Portland. Its never easy when the losses pile up, yet when you lose, there is a right way to go down and Im not seeing enough of it. Id say its red alert time in the Mile High City. I like Shaw a great deal and hope he survives this, but, as we all know, theres not a lot of patience in todays NBA. Theyve gotta produce. ' ' '