West Notes: Blazers, Damian Lillard, Timberwolves, Mavs

Trail Blazers 

Star guard Damian Lillard became the latest member of the 50-point-and-over club, erupting for 60 in Wednesday’s win over the Jazz.

“I think any time you score 60 points it’s special, but I think this one I just felt like it came pretty simple,” Lillard told reporters. “I thought I played the game as it should’ve been played. I knew we needed to win so I came out with a mentality to attack and be aggressive, but it wasn’t like I just came out on fire. It wasn’t one of those games.”

Lillard now has four career games of 60 points or more, scoring 61 on two occasions.

“You just kind of sit back and just enjoy it,” Blazers shooting guard Nassir Little said about watching Lillard reach 60. “Marvel at his greatness.”

• Lillard is now one of five NBA players with at least four games of 60 or more. Kobe Bryant has six, with Lillard, James Harden, and Michael Jordan each with four. Wilt Chamberlain had 32 such games. “I ain’t catching Wilt,” Lillard said, laughing.
• The Blazers have been one of the more active teams ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, per reports. We have the latest on that right here, and even more right here.

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves (25-25) have split their first 50 games right down the middle, and are now looking to try to pull it together for another playoff push as they await the return of injured forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns.

Winning a road game against the Pelicans on Wednesday may have been the boost they needed.

“We’re in a position where we want to really stop worrying about the other team,” center Rudy Gobert said. “Regardless of what’s the weather or who’s hurt, whose playing, we know if we come with the right approach, the right mindset, it’s going to be a good game for us.”

Coach Chris Finch said he’s been pleased with how guard Anthony Edwards is looking to push the pace more. “That’s something we’ve been imploring him to do more of is just go, go go,” Finch said. “In transition, he’s pretty much unstoppable.”

Mavericks

• Raptors forward OG Anunoby, Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma and Pistons forward Bojan Bogdanovic are three potential targets if the Mavericks decide to swing big at the trade deadline, wrote Callie Caplan of the Dallas Morning News.
• Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell is another player who has been linked to the Mavericks, as relayed by Dalton Trigg of SI.com.