The Trail Blazers got their first win of their first round series against the Clippers in a nail-biter. After leading by as many as 11 in the first half, they allowed Los Angeles to make it a game in the second. In the end, they executed better in the final minutes and emerged victorious in a 96-88 victory in Game 3 on Saturday night in Portland.
Clippers vs. Blazers, NBA playoff results 2016: Portland wins 96-88 at home in Game 3
The series is now 2-1 in favor of the Clippers.
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 59 points while Chris Paul had 26 points and nine assists for the Clippers.
The Clippers did a fantastic job of keeping the Trail Blazers’ elite backcourt from scoring efficiently in the first two games but that changes on Saturday. Lillard and McCollum seemed happy to be at home and combined to score 33 in the first half. MCCollum in particular looked comfortable for the first time in the series, making the type of tough shots he typically makes but were not going down in Los Angeles.
While the Blazers wouldn’t have led in the first half without that offensive explosion from their guards, their defense was also a big factor. They held the Clippers to just 40 points on 38-percent shooting, doing a fantastic job from preventing and contesting three-pointers and avoiding fouls. It was exactly what they needed to do to prevent those big runs that Los Angeles is capable of going on when the defense gets sloppy.
Portland led by nine points at the half after putting together the best 24 minutes they’ve had in the series.
The Clippers were bound to make a push and it came early in the third quarter. Chris Paul carried the team, like he has for much of the season, scoring nine points and dishing out an assist in the frame. Portland started fouling, as well, and that gave Los Angeles’ offense a boost. Going into the final period, the lead that the Trail Blazers had worked so hard to build had mostly evaporated. They were just up three, 70-67.
Neither team could get separation in the fourth quarter. The Clippers managed to take the lead but the Blazers responded quickly. They traded buckets until the final minutes, with neither offense getting quality looks. DeAndre Jordan misses some key free throws, giving the Blazers the stops they needed to finally get an edge. Portland simply executed better and hit enough free throws late to get the win.
Now the series will have to go back to Los Angeles for a Game 5. If the Trail Blazers continue to play like they did on Saturday, it might go the distance.
3 things we learned from the Blazers’ close win
When Lillard and McCollum are cooking, the Blazers can beat anyone
Lillard and McCollum had been contained beautifully by the defensive game plan Doc Rivers had designed. Basically, the Clippers sent extra men their way while leaving shooters open, daring anyone else to beat them. Any shots McCollum and Lillard got were typically of the contested variety. The strategy was so effective that the two shot below 35 percent from the field in the first two games.
What separates Portland's guards from other scorers, however, is that they can make tough shots. Lillard has the range and the ball handling to be Stephen Curry lite and McCollum is as crafty as any player in the league. They figured out ways to get just enough room to pull the trigger in Game 3. The Trail Blazers will need him to continue to play like this if they hope to make a comeback in the series.
Blake Griffin is still not fully back
Blake Griffin showed signs of rounding to form in Game 2. He had a coast-to-coast drive that resulted in free throws and a huge dunk late. With two days of rest before suiting up again, it was not crazy to expect him to be close to fully back for Game 3. Unfortunately, it might be a while before he finds his rhythm, if his performance on Saturday is any indication.
His stat line was decent, as he finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He simply didn’t look like himself out there and couldn’t really exert his will on a matchup that should be favorable to him. His shot wasn’t there and neither was his explosiveness. Even his mobility on defense wasn’t as good as it usually is.
Griffin is still helping the Clippers but if they advance, they will need more from him to beat the Warriors in a potential conference semifinals series.
The Clippers missed J.J. Redick’s scoring
Redick has been huge this season, especially in the games Blake Griffin missed. He’s a core player and the Clippers needed him to provide scoring to offset the barrage that was coming from Portland’s backcourt. On Saturday, he just couldn’t do it and that was a big reason why the Clippers couldn’t get a 3-1 lead.
Redick had five points on 10 shots and couldn't make his mark on defense ether. Jamal Crawford stepped up and delivered some bench scoring from the shooting guard spot but it simply wasn't enough. If the Clippers want to advance, they will need their marksman to go have good games for the rest of the series.
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