The Portland Trail Blazers played the role of pest against the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night at home. It worked for a good two quarters. Portland’s physicality and size caused frustration as the Moda Center roared in delight to see their Blazers go toe to toe with the undefeated Thunder.
But peskiness alone isn’t enough to overcome the type of juggernaut ascending in Oklahoma. Like a machine, the Thunder put its foot down with a suffocating 35-9 run over nine minutes between the third and fourth quarter. It turned a two-point game into a 137-114 laugher.
“Then boom,” said Portland head coach Chauncey Billups about that game-sealing run.