What's up basketball fans! I am here again @dwin0603 to give you another exciting basketball discussion for another episode of NBA Talk, and today we will have a short recap of the match between the Portland Trail Blazers VS Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of their best of 7 playoff series where Dame hits one of the most historic shots of the season. Let's do this!
The Portland Trail Blazers advances to the Western Conference Semi-Finals after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5, 118-115 by Damian Lillard's buzzer beater from way downtown.
Game Recap
The Oklahoma City Thunder knows what they're up to coming into this game. They knew that they had to give everything they have into this game. They know that everyone's talent is needed to the fullest or else their season will end. In the first period, the Thunder went hot leading 22-12 early in the game. The double-digit lead was brought by Paul George's first-quarter surge making his first six shots. The first quarter ended at 37-29 with the Thunder leading. McCollum headed to the bench due to foul trouble.
In the second period, Lillard started Portland's rally and make the game close with his three-pointers. Then, the Blazers take the lead with Seth Curry's three to make it 56-55 and the half ended at 61-60 with Portland leading at the break. Dame scores 34 points in the first half beating Russ and PG's combined 32 first-half points.
Oklahoma City regains the lead in the third at some point but it didn't last long. Portland again made some little run and put the lead back up to 9 points courtesy of Dame's three. The Thunder did not let the Blazers took momentum and they take the lead back entering the fourth and final quarter with a 2 point edge, 90-88.
Lillard spent some time on the bench and take a little rest. That is when the Thunder took advantage and extend their lead. With less than 8 minutes left in the game, the Thunder went 105-90 and thought that they had control of the game. Later on, the Blazers rally again reaching on the deficit and bringing it down to just 5 points with Dame's three again. Then, CJ McCollum's bank shot to make it 113-109 with one and a half minute left.
In the final minute, CJ's jumper tied it and then George answered immediately. Lillard ties it again with a layup the following possession. And in the final possession, the clock is winding down, you know what time is it, It's Lillard time as he hits the 37 footer three-point basket as the horn sounds and the game ended. It was the most epic shot of the season so far. He ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's season in style. What a way to end this series. It was like when Steph Curry buried a deep three from way downtown that also beat the Thunder back in 2016 season. The Thunder was stunned and the night was finished with the Trail Blazers moving up to the second round of the playoffs.
My thoughts
It's funny how Westbrook averaged a triple-double for three straight seasons but the Thunder fell in the first round of the playoffs on that three consecutive years. You know, Westbrook is an incredible talent but when playoff time comes, he is not just doing the right job. His decision making is hurting the team. The same thing happened when they blew up a 3-1 lead in 2016 against the Warriors. I don't know where to put it but it's just Lillard's night. This night is for him. Now, they advanced to the second round and will face the winner of the Spurs VS the Nuggets series.
Stats
Damian Lillard - 50 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast
CJ McCollum - 17 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast
Enes Kanter - 13 pts, 13 reb
Paul George - 36 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast
Russell Westbrook - 29 pts, 11 reb, 14 ast
Dennis Schroder - 17 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast
That is all for today folks! I would love to hear your thoughts about this article, so drop your comments now and let's have some basketball talk! :)
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