Damian Lillard delivered a strong second-half performance as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-103 at home.
Lillard finished with 25 points and four three-pointers, saving one of his best stretches for the third quarter. He scored 13 of his points in the period, shooting an impressive five-of-six from the field to help Portland take control of the contest.
His scoring burst proved important as the Trail Blazers built their advantage and eventually secured a convincing 20-point victory.
Deni Avdija also made a significant contribution, recording 24 points, six rebounds and eight assists. His ability to create opportunities for teammates while adding points of his own gave Portland another reliable offensive option.
Sidy Cissoko chipped in with 17 points, three assists and three three-pointers as the Trail Blazers enjoyed an impressive team performance.
Oklahoma City struggled to keep pace with Portland and finished the night with 103 points. The 20-point defeat will be disappointing for the Thunder, who were unable to contain Lillard and the Trail Blazers’ attacking threat.
For Portland, it was an encouraging performance, with Lillard’s third-quarter scoring run setting the tone for a convincing home victory.
