Sports

Damian Lillard's 31 points leads Trail Blazers past Nuggets 100-95

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson, left, works ball inside or shot as Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson covers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye, left, pulls in a loose ball as Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson covers in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (The Associated Press)

Damian Lillard made up for the absence of fellow All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge by scoring 31 points in the Portland Trail Blazers' 100-95 win over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.

Lillard scored 12 in the third quarter when it looked as if the Blazers were headed for a blowout win, but he saved his biggest shots for late in the fourth after the Nuggets had trimmed an 18-point deficit to two.

The Blazers again went with a smaller lineup with Aldridge missing his fourth straight game with a strained left groin, and Dorell Wright helped make up for Aldridge's team-high 23.9 points and 11.4 rebounds by giving Denver another long-range shooter to defend.

Randy Foye led Denver with 17 points.