Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 takeaways from pivotal Game 3 vs. Blazers

The Oklahoma City Thunder finally broke into the win column in their first round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Here’s a look at the biggest takeaways from their Game 3 victory.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have not had a ton of success in the postseason. In fact, they have been eliminated in the first round in each of the last two seasons.

The team’s misfortunes have continued this year as well, as they dropped the first two games of their first round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. With their postseason lives hanging in the balance, they knew a win Game 3 was a must if they had any hopes of getting back into the series.

In the first half of Game 3, OKC’s stifling defense was on full display, holding the Blazers to just 39 points. Along with that, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum shot just 5-for-14 from the field. The home team’s momentum continued into the third period, as the Thunder led by as many as 16 points.

But just when it looked like the Thunder were going to run away with the game, Lillard poured in 25 points to trim the deficit to four (86-82) heading into the final frame. The teams battled back and forth in the fourth quarter before the Thunder managed to pull away for a 120-108 victory.

Russell Westbrook and Paul George outscored the Trail Blazers’ backcourt tandem of Lillard and McCollum 55-53 en route to cutting the series deficit in half. Here’s a look at the biggest takeaways from the Thunder’s Game 3 victory.