Put the brooms away. The Portland Trail Blazers competed but weren’t able to overpower a desperate Oklahoma City Thunder squad, falling 120-108 on the road in Game 3.
The Blazers lead the series 2-1.
In the early going, the game looked to have all the makings for yet another defensive showdown, but Oklahoma City found its rhythm late in the second quarter, finishing the half on a 10-1 run and held serve from then on.
Damian Lillard’s 25-point explosion in the third quarter - after just four in the first half - kept Portland within striking distance down the stretch, but defensive stops were hard to come by and every Blazer run was sent right back at their collective face.