Orlando (United States) (AFP)

Damian Lillard scored a whopping 61 points on Tuesday and put the Portland Blazers in good position for the play-offs, with a 134-131 win over the Dallas Mavericks, while Phoenix went undefeated in a seventh game in the " Orlando bubble.

. Lillard too strong

Lillard had already done the show on Sunday, passing 51 points in Philadelphia; he added 10 points against Dallas. The point guard landed a crucial three-point shot to tie it at 130-130, then gave the assist to lead 132-130 with less than a minute to go.

Those 61 points made Lillard the second only player in NBA history to score 60 points or more in three games in a single season, placing him alongside the legendary Wilt Chamberlain.

"I'm happy to have that kind of company, and I'm happy we won two of those three games on the wire," said Lillard. "It's an honor to be with Wilt. I hope it will continue."

The leader's display was accompanied by 26 points from veteran Carmelo Anthony. Mavericks side, Kristaps Porzingis scored 36 points, and Luka Doncic 25 (plus 10 assists and 8 rebounds).

This victory allows Portland to overtake Memphis and take 8th place. A victory Thursday against Brooklyn, and Portland will be sure to play the qualifying play-off.

- Invincible Phoenix -

Phoenix stretched its unbeaten run in the Orlando "bubble" in Game 7, at the expense of Philadelphia (130-117).

Devin Booker shone again, with his fifth personal game over 30 points in Orlando (35 exactly this Tuesday).

The Sixers for their part suffered greatly from the absences of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

The Suns' victory, combined with those of San Antonio (123-105 against Houston) and Memphis (122-107 against Boston), leaves the entire suspense about the 8th and 9th places, qualifying for the dam.

But Phoenix does not have his fate in hand: even an 8th victory in as many games at Orlando would not protect him from a possible elimination, depending on the other results.

"We know we are not in total control of our destiny but we have put ourselves in a good position," said Suns coach Monty Williams after Tuesday's victory. "No one would have imagined that the Phoenix Suns would be in this place" before the resumption of the NBA.

© 2020 AFP