The Oklahoma City Thunder were coming off a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but Russell Westbrook still struggled on that night, which gave him extra motivation for a showdown with a division rival. He bounced back on Friday night, scoring 31 points to help the Thunder hold off the Portland Trail Blazers, 111-109. Paul George led the way with 37 points for Oklahoma City, who snapped a six-game losing streak against the Trail Blazers, as well as an eight-game skid at the Moda Center. The Thunder trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half, and then rallied to lead for most of the second half, but had to hold off a Blazers' rally in the fourth quarter.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 23 points, but Portland's comeback attempt in the final four minutes fell just short. They cut their deficit to four, but Lillard, C.J. McCollum, ad Al-Farouq Aminu all missed shots down the stretch to seal their fate on this night. The win for the Thunder moves them 12 games over .500 for the first time this season, as they moved a half-game ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. Westbrook led their second half dominance with 20 points in final 24 minutes, snapping the Blazers' mild two-game winning streak. They were coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Sacramento Kings, but are now just five games over .500 at 22-17.
Meanwhile, in a game that was surprisingly thrilling, the Indiana Pacers hung on for their sixth straight win with a 119-116 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls. Victor Oladipo finished with 36 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second left to play in the extra period. Indiana trailed by double digits for most of the first half, and did not lead in the game until the third quarter. Between Oladipo, Lauri Markannen, Zach LaVine, Myles Turner, and Kris Dunn, there were six go-ahead or game-tying baskets in the final minute of both the fourth quarter and overtime. between the two teams combined
Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Thaddeous Young had 16 points in the first game of their five-game road trip for Indiana. LaVine led the 10-29 Bulls with 31 points, including two three-pointers late in the fourth to help force overtime. The difference could've been the shooting from beyond the arc, as the Pacers shot 9-of-28, while the Bulls connected on 12-of-28. Markannen added 27 points, while Dunn chipped in 16 points and 17 rebounds in the hard-fought loss for Chicago. LaVine was good aon 5-of-9 shots from three-point range, while Markannen was 4-for-9. Indiana's victory keeps them within 1.5 games of the Toronto Raptors for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 23 points, but Portland's comeback attempt in the final four minutes fell just short. They cut their deficit to four, but Lillard, C.J. McCollum, ad Al-Farouq Aminu all missed shots down the stretch to seal their fate on this night. The win for the Thunder moves them 12 games over .500 for the first time this season, as they moved a half-game ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. Westbrook led their second half dominance with 20 points in final 24 minutes, snapping the Blazers' mild two-game winning streak. They were coming off a thrilling overtime win over the Sacramento Kings, but are now just five games over .500 at 22-17.
Meanwhile, in a game that was surprisingly thrilling, the Indiana Pacers hung on for their sixth straight win with a 119-116 overtime victory over the Chicago Bulls. Victor Oladipo finished with 36 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with less than a second left to play in the extra period. Indiana trailed by double digits for most of the first half, and did not lead in the game until the third quarter. Between Oladipo, Lauri Markannen, Zach LaVine, Myles Turner, and Kris Dunn, there were six go-ahead or game-tying baskets in the final minute of both the fourth quarter and overtime. between the two teams combined
Domantas Sabonis had 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Thaddeous Young had 16 points in the first game of their five-game road trip for Indiana. LaVine led the 10-29 Bulls with 31 points, including two three-pointers late in the fourth to help force overtime. The difference could've been the shooting from beyond the arc, as the Pacers shot 9-of-28, while the Bulls connected on 12-of-28. Markannen added 27 points, while Dunn chipped in 16 points and 17 rebounds in the hard-fought loss for Chicago. LaVine was good aon 5-of-9 shots from three-point range, while Markannen was 4-for-9. Indiana's victory keeps them within 1.5 games of the Toronto Raptors for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
