:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/AWKEBS4RMFZ2ALYG4JYAQU3QSA.jpg "Lillard scores 71 points and 13 3-pointers in win over Houston 1")
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Lillard set a franchise and career-high 71 points, tying the most in the NBA this season, and hit 13 3-pointers to help the Portland Trail Blazers break a two-game losing streak consecutive with a 131-114 victory against the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
Lillard tied Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell for most points in a game this season after Mitchell scored 71 points in a win over Chicago on Jan. 2. Lillard broke his own franchise record of 61 points, which he had achieved twice, with a 3-pointer with 4:42 to go and also surpassed his own record of 11 3-pointers in one game.
In the final minutes, fans at the Moda Center stood up and recorded the moment on their phones while chanting “MVP MVP!”
Lillard left the game with 44 seconds left.
Lillard finished the first half with 41 points and eight 3-pointers. It was the best half of Lillard’s career and the most halftime points by any player in the league this season. He accumulated 50 points after three periods.
Jerami Grant added 13 points for the Blazers, who led by 23 points.
Alperen Sengun finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, last in the Western Conference with just 13 wins and nine straight losses.