PORTLAND — Mo Williams might have moved on to Minnesota, but his one season in Portland left an impression with the Trail Blazers.
After Sunday’s 107-93 win, Damian Lillard said his former teammate influenced him beyond the court.
“The game was probably the smallest thing he helped me with,” Lillard said. “He was on me about being consistent, taking care of my body, watching film.”
The 11-year NBA veteran had 21 points and 11 assists Sunday, two days after he had 25 points and 11 assists in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Those were his first back-to-back games of at least 20 points and 10 assists in nearly four years.
“He’s a good fit for them,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “With a young team, he gives them a lot of leadership.”
Seeking a longer contract, Williams opted out of his two-year deal with Portland after last season. The Blazers didn’t budge and Williams signed a one-year deal with Minnesota.
Williams has seen his minutes rise since point guard Ricky Rubio was hurt Nov. 7. He has started four of the past five games.
Seeking his shot
Nicolas Batum continues to struggle from 3-point range, where he was 1-for-8 Sunday.
Batum’s 3-pointer with 1:27 left in the second quarter ended a drought of 21 straight misses, a stretch that covered four games. Batum has made one of his last 25 attempts from 3-point range.
“When you’re in a stretch like this, you can’t think about it,” Batum said. “My teammates said to me ‘shoot the next one.’ “
Batum said he’s trying to find a rhythm. He hasn’t felt comfortable in the six games since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his knee. A contusion caused him to miss three games.
Though he was 4-for-13 from the field, Batum had eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks.
“I know that if I don’t make shots I can impact the game in other ways,” Batum said.
Milestones passed
Sunday saw two Blazers and one coach reach milestones.
Wesley Matthews was 6-for-10 from 3-point range Sunday. He is the fourth player in NBA history to make at least six 3-pointers in three consecutive games.
Matthews hit his 700th 3-pointer as a Blazer in the second quarter, joining Terry Porter and Damon Stoudamire in that club.
LaMarcus Aldridge had 15 rebounds, tying him with Buck Williams for fourth in franchise history with 4,861.
Terry Stotts recorded his 100th win as Portland’s head coach.
Adding illness to injury
Minnesota is one of the NBA’s most banged-up teams. The Timberwolves have been without Rubio, center Nikola Pekovic, shooting guard Kevin Martin and backup big man Ronny Turiaf for long stretches this season.
Sunday, illness also was a factor. Williams was slowed Sunday by strep throat and pinkeye. Andrew Wiggins received a pregame IV due to flu-like symptoms.
At least two Blazers had a touch of illness on Sunday. Will Barton sat out with flu-like symptoms while Lillard played despite a stomach ailment.
Tip-ins
Battle Ground resident Amber Sweeny sang the national anthem. … Sunday was Seahawks Night at the Moda Center. The Vince Lombardi trophy was on display on the concourse. The SeaGals and mascot Blitz performed. … Portland mounted a 28-6 run that stretched from the mid-second quarter to early in the third. … Seven of Portland’s next eight games are on the road.
