Damian Lillard had 31 points (9 during a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter) and 10 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers went on an 18-2 run in the fourth quarter to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 115-104 for their fifth straight win.
The Thunder went on a 25-5 run to lead 102-97 with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter. Gary Trent Jr.’s corner 3-pointer put the Trail Blazers ahead for good with 3:47 left. Lillard made 4 3-pointers during the run, and they led 115-104 with 51 seconds left.
During clutch time, the Trail Blazers outscored the Thunder 15-2. Lillard (No. 1 in clutch wins added, 2020-21) scored 9 of the Trail Blazers’ 15 on 3 for 4 shooting.
Enes Freedom had 8 points and 21 rebounds. Lillard and Trent set each other up for 6 baskets and 15 points, 2 of them during the 18-2 run.
For the Thunder, Luguentz Dort scored 23 points (10 in the third quarter), and Darius Bazley went 1 for 7 from 3.
The Trail Blazers shot 43.8% from the field and 42.6% from 3 to the Thunder’s 43.5% and 30.3%. The Trail Blazers made 20 3-pointers, 5 of them by Lillard and 5 by Anfernee Simons. The Thunder’s starters were outscored 48-34 in 17 minutes together. Simons fouled out.