DAMIAN LILLARD PRODUCED a record-breaking 55-point display but it was not enough to prevent the Portland Trail Blazers from slipping to a 147-140 double overtime defeat against the Denver Nuggets.
Blazers talisman Lillard once again lived up to his reputation as a clutch competitor, almost single-handedly dragging the Blazers into the contest with a string of crucial three-pointers.
The game five defeat leaves Denver 3-2 ahead in the best-of-seven playoff series, meaning Portland must win both of their remaining games to advance.
Lillard’s final points tally included 12 three-pointers, a record for the NBA playoffs and only two behind the all-time record of 14 in a game held by Klay Thompson.
The 30-year-old Portland star forced overtime with just 3.7 seconds remaining, draining a 27-footer to make it 121-121.
Lillard struck again at the end of overtime with a 26-foot three-pointer to make it 135-135.
Dame (55 PTS, 12 3PM, 10 AST) had a night for the ages 👏 pic.twitter.com/WWBX5GoXof
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 2, 2021
His final points of the night came with a 30-foot three-pointer that put Portland 140-138 ahead in double overtime, but a costly late blunder by C.J. McCollum, inadvertently stepping out of bounds, allowed Denver to snatch victory.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 38 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, while Monte Morris added 28 points. Michael Porter Jr. finished with 26 points.
Game six takes place in Portland on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Devin Booker scored 30 points as the Phoenix Suns left LeBron James and the depleted Los Angeles Lakers facing elimination with a crushing 115-85 victory.
Phoenix took full advantage of the injury absence of the Lakers’ Anthony Davis to dominate the defending NBA champions from early in the first quarter before romping to a comfortable win.
The Suns victory leaves Phoenix 3-2 ahead in the best-of-seven Western Conference first round series, meaning the Lakers must win in Los Angeles in game six on Thursday to keep their season alive.
Also on Tuesday night, James Harden scored a 34-point triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets advanced to a series against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 123-109 win over the Boston Celtics.
An impressive showing from Brooklyn’s “Big Three” saw Harden add 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Kyrie Irving (25 points) and Kevin Durant (24 points) also weighed in with big contributions as the Nets completed a 4-1 victory in the best-of-seven series.
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Scousers don’t care about this game. More interested in Utd losing to Spurs.
@Olllie B: No not really you don’t have to be from Liverpool to be scouser. Northern Europe sailors brought a stew recipe to ports in England but mostly Liverpool. The dish was called Lobscouse. Those people in Liverpool who ate it were called Scousers.
Huddersfield fans out in force I see… who knew?
Come on Huddersfield
Well its Huddersfield for me…
If Klopp loses this…he’ll have to walk alone !!
@dannyboy: never!!
@Joe Kennedy: tbf Klopp is a joke at this stage.
But but but No Coutinho??? Ahhhh sure the January transfer window is nearly upon us so his back is probably playing up again
@powerfix: numbskull
If that defence is correct, I give up.
Im not even sure Lovren shagging Klopps missus would put him out of the team, Might be his downfall.
So Lovern’s punishment for being absolutely useless last week and costing his team 2 goals is to be rewarded with another start? The mind boggles
@Brian O’Loughlin: its common knowledge amongst real pool fans that lovern’s Mrs ran off another guy. So idiots here should really give him a break.
$hit happens to everyone from every walk of life. If things happen in your personal life that effect your performance or prevent you from doing your job properly you shouldn’t be there. Would you want a depressed pilot flying your plane? How is putting him in the firing line supposed to help him anyway? If anything it will make him worse
@Mr Nimziki: oh lord. You drop him till his heads right ffs.
@Nial D: so kick a man when he’s down is the answer
Klopp took off Lovren after 30 mins last week but now he’s starting again wttttfff
Sacked by your best man…,you’re getting sacked by your best man … sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnn ..you’re getting sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnnn….
@powerfix: nitwit
@powerfix: Jeez. My 12yr old has more imagination, and he’s far less childish than that. I’d say your parents are very proud.
If we don’t win kiss top 4 goodbye YNWA
@Ollie Watson: that ship sailed ages ago dude. Ye will be lucky to nick Thursday night ball next season.
Well wagner said he best friends with klippty that goal proved it
Is Coutinho dropped?
@Nollaig Elliot: “injured”
Time to get a run going after some recent blips
Glad for Sturidge to score his first goal in two months great player