Blazers vs. Clippers, 2016 NBA playoff results: Portland takes Game 5 with 4th-quarter rally

Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers broke open a tied game in the fourth quarter, pulling away from the depleted Los Angeles Clippers for a 108-98 win in Game 5 of their first-round series.

Portland’s point guard scored 16 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the first road win by either team in this series. His backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum, led all scorers with 27 points.

The Blazers, once down 2-0 in the series, will take a 3-2 series lead back home Friday night with a chance to advance to the second round for just the second time in 16 years.

Lillard leads Portland in scoring this series at 20.8 points per game, but he entered Thursday shooting just 36.5 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from distance. Those struggles continued in Game 5 for Lillard, who was 1-of-10 from the field through three quarters, including 1-of-4 from three-point range. But he opened the final stanza with a three on the first possession to break a tie and snap a 9-0 Clippers run, setting the tone for the final 12 minutes.

Lillard made six of his nine field goal attempts in the final period, including 4-of-6 from distance.

The Blazers outscored the Clippers 37-27 in the final period.

The Clippers were once in control of this series, winning the first two games at home by a combined 41 points. But Game 4 injuries to their two biggest stars devastated their playoff chances. Blake Griffin aggravated the injury to his left quad tendon that caused him to miss 41 games during the regular season, and Chris Paul needed surgery to repair his broken right hand.

Los Angeles found a way to win without Griffin in the regular season, going 30-15 during his initial absence from Christmas until his April return. But that was thanks in large part to Paul, who averaged 21 points and 10.5 assists with Griffin out, compared to 17.4 points and 9.2 assists the rest of the year. Now they have neither star.

Without their two best players, it is understandable that the Clippers changed things up with their lineup. But just how much was a bit of a surprise.

Austin Rivers started just seven times during the regular season, and Jamal Crawford, the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, started just five times.

The Blazers will get a chance to close out their first-round series in Game 6 on Friday night at home in the Moda Center in Portland.