Russell Westbrook had 33 points (14 in the fourth quarter) and 11 assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 in Game 3 of the first-round series, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Dennis Schröder’s 15-foot pull-up jumper put the Thunder ahead for good with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter.
The Trail Blazers got within 91-90 on CJ McCollum’s free throw with 9:42 to play, but Westbrook answered with a three-point play, and the Trail Blazers got no closer than 94-92.
Paul George had 22 points (14 at the free-throw line) and 6 assists but shot 3 for 16. Westbrook assisted on 5 of Steven Adams’ 5 baskets.
For the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard had 32 points and 6 assists, and McCollum added 21 points and 7 assists.
The Thunder shot 48.1% from the field and 51.7% from 3 to the Trail Blazers’ 47.0% and 38.7%. The Trail Blazers turned it over 18 times, about 5 more than usual for this many possessions. The Trail Blazers’ starters were outscored 70-58 in 26 minutes together. Maurice Harkless fouled out.