This story appears in the June 3, 2019, issue of Sports Illustrated. For more great storytelling and in-depth analysis, subscribe to the magazine—and get up to 94% off the cover price. Click here for more.
The Trail Blazers had one last shot to save their season, and only two realistic options. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are among the most elusive scorers in the league, with moves not easily predicted and intentions not easily pinned down. No matter the direction of the final inbounds pass with 3.3 seconds left, the ball would ultimately find one of those two.