Oklahoma City Thunder vs Portland Trail Blazers Match Player Stats On Nov 05, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 6, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Damian Lillard matched his season high with 36 points, including two free throws to seal the Portland Trail Blazers' 103-99 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night at Moda Center.

Lillard was 10 of 18 from the field and 15 of 15 from the foul line and had a season-high 13 assists for the Trail Blazers (6-4). Jusuf Nurkic added 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting for Portland.

Paul George scored 27 points for Oklahoma City (4-5) on a night when reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook struggled with his shot. Westbrook had 25 points and nine assists but was 10 of 25 from the field, 3 of 10 from 3-point range and only 2 of 7 from the foul line.

Nurkic had 15 points and five rebounds and Lillard added 13 points and 10 assists as the Blazers took a 50-46 lead into intermission. Portland shot 58.3 percent in the half but committed 13 turnovers.

The Blazers increased the difference to 75-58 with 2:20 left in the third quarter. Oklahoma City used a 13-3 run to pare the margin to 78-71 early in the fourth quarter.

The Thunder scored five in a row to draw within 87-84 with 3:41 to play. Lillard countered with a three-point play to push Portland back in front 90-84 with 2:57 left.

George sank two at the line to cut the deficit to 90-86 with 2:51 to go.

Westbrook's jumper made it 90-88 with 1:55 remaining.

The teams then twice traded 3-point shots -- two by CJ McCollum, one apiece by George and Westbrook -- and the Blazers' edge was 96-94 with 50 seconds left.

Lillard converted a driving layup to give Portland a 98-94 lead with 29.5 seconds on the clock.

Westbrook was fouled attempting a 3-point shot but missed all three free throws with 20.5 seconds to go.

Lillard then knocked down two foul shots for a 100-94 advantage with 19.9 second remaining.

George answered with a trey to trim the lead to 100-97 with 15.4 seconds left.

Portland's Evan Turner made one of two at the line. Westbrook scored on a drive with six seconds to go. Lillard cinched it with two at the line with five seconds left.

Portland jumped to a 23-15 lead, sinking 10 of its first 15 shots. Lillard had seven assists in the first nine minutes -- three while setting up Nurkic for dunks or layups. The Blazers, shooting 63.2 percent, took a 28-20 advantage into the second quarter.

Oklahoma City tied it at 39 midway through the second quarter, but Portland seized a four-point edge at the break.

Overall, the Blazers made 50 percent of their field-goal attempts and the Thunder made 44.9 percent.

NOTES: Oklahoma City F Carmelo Anthony was ejected after a flagrant foul-2 on a drive to the basket in the third quarter. The basket was initially counted and a foul called on Portland C Jusuf Nurkic. After video review, the call was overturned and a foul administered to Anthony. ... The Thunder entered the game ranked No. 2 in the NBA in defensive efficiency. "They're very athletic, they protect the lane and they're experienced," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ... Portland F Al-Farouq Aminu (ankle) missed his third consecutive game, and Stotts indicated his return to action won't be soon.