Beating the Haliburton record, Damian Lillard wins the 3-Point Contest with the last throw
As he entered the final stages of a total of 27 3-Point Contest finals, Damian Lillard began to calculate how many points he needed to beat his direct competitor, Buddy Hield.
The television camera caught the image of Dame occasionally glancing at the big screen (although she was still throwing her hands constantly). Right on the last throw, Lillard scored the 26th point in the final round, surpassing Hield by exactly 1 point.
“By the last two rows of balls, I had to count and calculate to keep track of the score. I know I need to throw in all and not miss a ball to catch up," Damian Lillard shared after winning.
“Honestly, there was a time when I couldn't count because it was impossible to fit, throw and calculate like that. But when I finished the test, I looked at the electronic board and saw 26 points, just enough."
True to the usual 'clutch' style of play, Lillard throws better in the end. Of the last 17 3-pointers, including 2 'Starry Range' (logo distance) throws, Damian turned on the " Dame Time" and succeeded 11 out of 17 times.
In total, Lillard threw in 5 moneyballs (2 points), 2 Starry Range balls (3 points) and 10 3-pointers (1 point).
"It's quite interesting when people say that in an exam like this," Lillard said of his "clutch" throwing to win. who knew and just said, I 'clutch' out of habit."
As one of the excellent 3-point pitchers of the Portland Trail Blazers in particular and the NBA in general, Damian Lillard always aims to win the 3-Point Contest. The previous two appearances he had failed, but this time the scenario changed.
Speaking more at the press conference after the competition, the 32-year-old star said that he had set a goal to win the championship at all costs: "As a 3-point pitcher, I think I should win the 3-Point Contest at least once. times in my life, so I was well prepared and very determined."
Besides Buddy Hield, Damian Lillard today also beat a record holder, Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers All-Star striker. In the qualifying round, Tyrese scored 31 points and equaled Stephen Curry's record with the highest score in 3-Point Contest history.
Haliburton, Lillard and Hield beat Lauri Markkanen (20 points), Jayson Tatum (20 points), Tyler Herro (18 points), Julius Randle (13 points) and Kevin Huerter (8 points) to reach the final round.
But when it was the turn of the competition to find the champion, Tyrese had cold hands and only had 17 points. Buddy Hield scored 25 points and Damian Lillard took the throne with 26 points.
