Damian Lillard Used Mental Warfare To Ice DeAndre Ayton Before Ayton Attempted Game-Tying Free Throws With One Second Left

Sam Forencich. Getty Images.

Damian Lillard is a stone cold killer on the basketball court. And last night he made his return after missing 53 games last season as the Trail Blazers had their home opener against the Suns. Lillard was clearly fired up and was in his bag early with 28 first half points.

He finished with 41 for the game and in a tie game in the closing seconds after the Suns sent a double team his way, he passed the ball to his budding superstar teammate Anfernee Simons who made the go ahead bucket to go up by two.

But with with about eight seconds left, the Suns had the ball with a chance to tie. The ball made it's way underneath to DeAndre Ayton who was fouled with just over one second left so he would go to the line to shoot two free throws hoping to tie the game. Lillard made his way over to Ayton to put things in perspective, hoping to add a little pressure.

Lillard was asked about it in his post game presser and he gave his reasons on the savvy move.

It clearly worked as Ayton clanked the first free throw. The intentional miss on the second one actually went right to the Suns who missed a shot at the buzzer and the Blazers fans went home happy. Great game from a Blazers team who looks strong out of the gates at 2-0 and it's awesome to see Dame Time back using any and all tactics to secure a win.