Damian Lillard comes up clutch when his team needs him most.
Lillard exploded for 59 points to guide his Portland Trail Blazers to an important 101-86 victory over the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
He shot 18-of-34 from the field, canned nine threes, and made 14-of-16 from the charity stripe. Lillard's 59 points sets a Blazers franchise record for most points in a game, knocking off Damon Stoudamire's 54-point effort in 2005.
Related: Lillard ties own franchise record with 26 first-quarter points vs. Jazz
The two-time All-Star had a chance to reach 60 with three free throws in the final minute, but he clanked one of his tries and ended up one shy of the elusive 60-point plateau. He left the court to screaming choruses of cheers from the Moda Center faithful.
More importantly, the win extends Portland's slippery grip on the eighth spot to one-and-a-half games up on the Denver Nuggets. Their magic number to clinch the last seed is down to one.