Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from unforgettable Game 5 vs. Thunder

2. Riding out the storms

Basketball is a game of runs. That was abundantly apparent in Game 5. According to PopcornMachine.net, OKC pulled off runs of 11-2 and 6-1 in the first quarter to build their 10-point lead. Portland then fought back with 11-4 and 11-2 runs in the second to take the lead at halftime.

In the second half, they initiated a 14-2 run in the third to take their game-high nine-point lead. However, OKC struck back with a 15-2 run to end the third and 12-0 to start the fourth, giving the Thunder their 15-point lead.

With 7:12 remaining in the game, the Blazers could have conceded and looked to fight again in Game 6. Instead, they chose to keep chipping at the lead. Eventually, the momentum swung, some key possessions went their way and they closed out the game on a 16-8 spurt.

The Trail Blazers are a team that took last season’s first round sweep to heart. For that reason, they didn’t want to back down or let up for even a second. Even when things seemed insurmountable, Portland kept competing. Eventually, their effort was rewarded in poetic fashion.