Aldridge and Lillard guide Blazers to another win.
With six games on the NBA schedule on Monday night, it was left to the Portland Trail Blazers to open up a gap at the top of the Western Conference following their win over the Utah Jazz.
The Blazers moved to 18-4 for the season following their 105-94 victory, which is now their best start to a season since 1990-91 as they continue to defy the odds and maintain their form.
Utah made a late run to ensure there were some nerves as the game drew to a close, but Nicolas Batum and Damian Lillard both drained long-range shots to lift the Blazers.
“The ball bounced their way a few times,” Lillard told reporters after the game.
“We knew it would be tough because we just played them two or three days ago. They’re a better a team on their home floor. With us not having the greatest offensive night, we just wanted to stay the course and get the job done — which we were able to do.”
Lillard had 18 while LaMarcus Aldridge added a game-high 24 points as Portland remain three games up on the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Elsewhere, there were wins for both the Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies as the Western Conference continued their dominance over their Eastern rivals, with the Washington Wizards and Orlando Magic falling to defeat.
However, there was some light at the end of the tunnel as the Charlotte Bobcats caused a shock as they held on to a 115-111 win over the Golden State Warriors, despite 43 points from Stephen Curry.
The Warriors point guard faced competition from a Sacramento Kings duo for the performance of the night, with Derrick Williams scoring a career-high 31 points while DeMarcus Cousins had 32 points and 19 rebounds in a monster night for the Kings big man.
NBA Result:
Golden State Warriors 111-115 Charlotte Bobcats
Los Angeles Clippers 94-83 Philadelphia 76ers
Denver Nuggets 75-74 Washington Wizards
Orlando Magic 85-94 Memphis Grizzlies
Portland Trail Blazers 105-94 Utah Jazz
Dallas Mavericks 97-112 Sacramento Kings
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