Thunder Lose To Trail Blazers 102-99

Damian Lillard had 23 points and 13 assists to help the Portland Trail Blazers hold off the Oklahoma City Thunder 102-99 on Wednesday night. 

Lillard made 4 of 15 shots the first three quarters, but he made three 3-pointers in an 86-second flurry in the fourth that turned a three-point deficit into a five-point lead. The Trail Blazers led the rest of the way.

C.J. McCollum scored 22 points and Kent Bazemore added 14 for the Trail Blazers.

Chris Paul scored 21 points, Dennis Schroder scored 17 and Nerlens Noel added 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Thunder.

It was a rematch of last season's first-round playoff series, which the Trail Blazers took in five games. Only three of the 10 players who started Game 5 started on Wednesday, largely because of roster turnover.

Portland led 49-44 at halftime. The Trail Blazers shot 38.1% in the first half while the Thunder shot 35%. Lillard made just 2 of 8 shots in the first half and scored seven points.

A 3-pointer by Paul tied the game at 53 early in the third quarter, and then he made a jumper to put the Thunder ahead by two. The Thunder took a 69-68 lead into the final period.

Diallo grabbed three offensive rebounds on one possession before finally scoring to put the Thunder up 79-76, and Mike Muscala's layup on an assist from Paul put the Thunder up by five before the Trail Blazers rallied.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Held the Thunder to 27.8% shooting in the first quarter to take a 24-17 lead. ... C Hassan Whiteside left the game late in the second quarter after injuring his left knee. He later returned. He finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Thunder: C Steven Adams sat out with a left knee contusion. Coach Billy Donovan said Adams will be re-evaluated on Thursday. ... Muscala made 2 of 9 shots and scored four points. ... G Hamidou Diallo had a career-high 10 rebounds to go with 12 points.

UP NEXT

The Trail Blazers host the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

The Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.