Damian Lillard Needed A Perfect Final Rack To Edge Out Buddy Hield In A Thrilling 3-Point Contest
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Dame D.O.L.L.A. was on the money when it mattered most. No offense to the Trail Blazers, but it kinda sucks that a dead-eye shooting superstar like Damian Lillard is basically trapping himself in Portland, trying to will that floundering franchise to a championship. You have to respect Dame for it. Tonight was just another reminder, though, that we don't get to see Lillard on a big stage often enough.
Apparently Dame is ready to close out his 3-Point Contest run on top, and the GOAT shooter himself Steph Curry approved of that strategy:
Buddy Hield put up a hell of a fight, along with his Pacers teammate Tyrese Haliburton, who I was feeling pretty good about as a +600 bet when he matched a record high score for the first round!
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Alas and much to my chagrin, Haliburton and his goofy-ass shot didn't hold up down the stretch. His chance to win came after Dame was done. Unfortunately, he managed only 17 points to finish well behind Lillard's 26 and Hield's 25.
I'm only poking fun at Haliburton's shooting form for selfish reasons because he didn't pull through for me. Speaking of dudes who deserve more shine, Haliburton absolutely fits that description. He's 22, averages over 10 assists this season and could very well be a 50/40/90 guy in his prime.
Congrats to Damian Lillard. These days I'm more of a fan of the 3-Point Contest than whatever slam dunk situation is afoot featuring virtual no-name players. BRING STAR POWER BACK TO THE DUNK CONTEST PLEEEEEASE.
****I stand corrected. As Rico and Reags beat me to the punch…to…Mac McClung should be an annual Dunk Contest participant and the NBA's biggest stars need to get in on this shit to try to take his crown.
Twitter @MattFitz_gerald/TikTok