1) Joe Johnson Duels with Damian Lillard
Final Stat Line: 31 MIN, 29 PTS,12-16 FG, 3-4 3PT, 4 REB, 3 AST
Much of the talk on opening night in the NBA was centered around the Spurs’ surprising decimation of the Golden State Warriors or the Cleveland Cavaliers hoisting their championship banner. However, the Jazz-Blazers affair had the look of a League Pass instant classic.
The biggest reason for this was the late-game duel between Portland’s Damian Lillard and Jazzman Joe Johnson. With both teams battling in the clutch, Iso Joe turned back the clock, partying like it’s 2008 and matching the Blazers star basket for basket as the game went down to the wire.
After scoring just two points in the first half, Johnson dropped 27 in the second, making 11 of his 12 shot attempts in the half. He was able to do it in a variety of ways, knocking down three-pointers, abusing Lillard in the low post on multiple occasions and hitting mid-range jumpers as well.
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It’s probably unfair to expect that kind of effort from the now 35-year-old on a regular basis. But in his Jazz debut, Johnson reminded us all why he was selected to play in seven All-Star games.