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Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 takeaways from stunning Game 5 loss vs. Blazers

By James D. Tillman III

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Paul George #13, Russell Westbrook #0, and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high-five during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Five Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Paul George #13, Russell Westbrook #0, and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high-five during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Five Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Damian Lillard does it again

Lillard has had stretches in which he has been virtually unstoppable in this series. In Game 3, he scored 32 points (including 25 points in the third quarter) and nearly helped the Trail Blazers steal a game on the road.

He followed that up with a 24-point outing in Game 4, including 15 in the third quarter. With backcourt mate CJ McCollum saddled with foul trouble in the first half, Lillard decided to take matters into his own hands.

Playing all 24 minutes, he connected on 12 of his first 18 attempts en route to a 34-point outburst in the first half.

https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/1120896492527427585

This was impressive for a few reasons. For starters, Lillard scored more than half of his team’s points in the first half. His 34 points set a franchise record for the Trail Blazers. He also became the team’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers in the postseason.

Yes, Dame did more than enough to keep Portland in the game during the first 24 minutes of action, but the best was yet to come. With the teams tied at 115 apiece in waning seconds of the final frame, Lillard made sure that he was either going to win the game or go into overtime.

As it turned out, he capped off his exceptional night with a 3-point shot from 37 feet as time expired, giving his team the win.

Lillard finished the night with 50 points on 17-for-33 shooting from the field. He also recorded seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. Not only that, but the dude shot 10-for-18 from beyond the arc.

Next. Top 100 moments of the 2018-19 NBA season. dark

The Thunder held Lillard to 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting in the second half, but they weren’t able to keep him from delivering the knockout blow that ended their season.