LaMarcus Aldridge always has a little extra for a trip back home to the Dallas area.
The former Seagoville High School and University of Texas standout hit the game-winning 17-footer jumper that gave the Trail Blazers a 99-97 overtime victory at Dallas Friday night.
It was part of an effort where Aldridge singed the Mavericks for 25 points and 12 rebounds.
“This is big because it was in the crib (his hometown),” Aldridge told the Associated Press about the game-winning shot and the victory, which improved the Trail Blazers to 7-6 under interim coach Kaleb Canales of Laredo.
Aldridge made the game-winning fallaway jumper over the outstretched arm of Dallas 7-foot center Brendan Haywood. After hitting the shot, he was then mobbed by his teammates at center court in celebration.
“LaMarcus is our All-Star,” Canales told the AP. “We were going to LaMarcus. Big-time player, big-time shot.”
It was also a performance that put him on top of Friday’s Studs and Duds for the top performers across the association.
STUDS
Portland F LaMarcus Aldridge: Tallied 25 points, 12 rebounds, was plus-3 and hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer to lead the Trail Blazers to a victory at Dallas.
Portland G Raymond Felton: Notched 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists and shared team honors at plus-20 in the Trail Blazers’ triumph at Dallas.
Utah F Al Jefferson: Went for 30 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks and two assists and was a game-high plus-22 in the Jazz’s victory over Golden State.
The Spurs’ bench: Erupted for 82 bench points — most in the NBA in more than 12 years — and was a collective plus-95 in the Spurs’ victory over New Orleans.
Houston G Goran Dragic: Went for 26 points, 11 assists, four rebounds, three steals and was plus-14 in the Rockets’ victory at the Lakers.
Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Went for 44 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the Thunder’s loss at Indiana.
DUDS
Miami G Mario Chalmers: Limited to one point on o-for-4 shooting from the field with four turnovers and was minus-2 in the Heat’s loss to Memphis. The defeat snapped their 17-victory home streak.
Oklahoma City G James Harden: Went 1 for 5 from the field with five turnovers in the Thunder’s loss at Indiana.
Toronto F Alan Anderson: Missed all four shots, had two turnovers and was a team-worst minus-13 in the Raptors’ loss to Cleveland.
Golden State G Nate Robinson: Hit 2 of 10 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-4 in the Warriors’ loss at Utah.
Charlotte G Kemba Walker: Clanked through a 6 for 26 shooting night with four turnovers in the Bobcats’ loss at Milwaukee.