Damian Lillard returns, Trail Blazers top Pacers 116-110

Things sure look easier when Damian Lillard is on the floor.

The Trail Blazers star scored 21 points in his return to the court after missing the previous seven games with a calf injury, but it wasn’t simply the scoring that was impressive.

More than Trail Blazers fans have seen in the last couple of weeks, the ball moved, the opponents’ defense bent, and Portland looked crisp. Such is the nature of Lillard’s “gravity” on the court.

It doesn’t hurt that Lillard has a better-scoring supporting cast in Jerami Grant and Anfernee Simons since…well, maybe ever. Grant  led the way with 28 points, while Simons chipped in 22.

After a lull that saw them drop eight of nine games, the Trail Blazers have now won two straight. Up next, the team enjoys a three-day break before taking on the Denver Nuggets on Thursday.