Lillard's buzzer-beater lifts Trail Blazers to series win over Rockets
The Portland Trail Blazers survived a thrilling Game 6 at the Moda Center on Friday night, winning 99-98 over the Houston Rockets on a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Damian Lillard.
The game was a real thriller, with the score being tied 14 different times, including a tie at 96-96 inside of the final second of the game, in which two baskets were scored.
Star Performer
Who else could it be? It was Lillard's shot with 0.9 seconds left that was the difference in the game.
He was having a pretty good night before that as well, hitting on 8-of-14 shots from the field and six of 10 shots from beyond the arc for 25 points, filling out his stat line with six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block.
Lillard's shot chart from tonight's @Trailblazers series-clinching win: 25 points on 8/14 FGAs, 6/10 from 3 pic.twitter.com/i1KMmudf5X
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) May 3, 2014
Turning Point
The game was tied 96-96 when the Rockets called a timeout with 28 seconds remaining. The Rockets' possession was extended by a questionable out-of-bounds call, then with four seconds to play, James Harden missed a 19-foot jumper.
A scramble ensued for the basketball, and Robin Lopez clumsily saved the ball right to Chandler Parsons under the basket for a two-point gift, putting the Rockets ahead 98-96 with 0.9 seconds to play.
The Trail Blazers then inbounded to Lillard for his fateful shot.
Highlight Reel
Robin Lopez dunks on Omer Asik.
Damian Lillard for the win...
Damian Lillard's buzzer-beater is the 1st buzzer-beater to win a postseason series since John Stockton in 1997 for Jazz vs Rockets. (Elias)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 3, 2014
Quote of the Night
Rockets coach Kevin McHale on the last play: "We specifically said no threes..."
— KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) May 3, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: POR 122, HOU 120 (OT) (Blazers lead 1-0)
Game 2: POR 112, HOU 105 (Blazers lead 2-0)
Game 3: HOU 121, POR 116 (OT) (Blazers lead 2-1)
Game 4: POR 123, HOU 120 (OT) (Blazers lead 3-1)
Game 5: HOU 108, POR 98 (Blazers lead 3-2)
Game 6: POR 99, HOU 98 (Blazers win 4-2)