The Portland Trailblazers on Friday (PH time) outlasted the Brooklyn Nets, 134-133, to earn a twice-to-beat advantage heading into their playoff play-in matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Damian Lillard did the heavy lifting for Portland with 42 points and 12 assists. Lillard has scored 154 points in the Trailblazers’ final three games to lead them undefeated within the span.
A clutch Lillard steal that led to a CJ McCollum bucket in the final minute sealed the deal for the Trailblazers.
Good things come to those who hustle @Dame_Lillard | #RipCity pic.twitter.com/wIt0BEsUOB
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 14, 2020
The Nets had a chance to win at the buzzer but Caris LeVert’s final-second attempt hit iron and bounced off the rim.
The win, Portland’s 35th, broke a three-way tie with the Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns.
The first play-in game for the 8th seed will begin on Sunday. The Trailblazers would set a first-round matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers with a win.
A Memphis win, however, would trigger a do-or-die game slated on Monday.
The NBA playoffs will start on Tuesday, Aug. 18. John Ezekiel J. Hirro