Damian Lillard sank a three-pointer on the buzzer to cap a 50-point display as the Portland Trail Blazers completed a late fightback to send Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder crashing out of the playoffs on Tuesday.
Needing a win to keep the best-of-seven series alive, Oklahoma City appeared to be on their way to forcing a game six after overturning a nine-point deficit at the end of the third period to open up a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter.
But a sensational burst of scoring hauled the Blazers back within striking distance as their home fans at the Moda Center roared them on.
Lillard levelled the score at 115-115 with a driving layup and when Westbrook subsequently fluffed a chance to restore Oklahoma City’s lead with 18.3 seconds left, Portland ace Lillard was left with a chance to grab the win.
The 28-year-old point guard took his time before sinking a three-pointer from long-range to seal a 118-115 win and a 4-1 series victory.
Earlier, Lillard had kept Portland in contention almost single-handedly, playing all 24 minutes of the first half and knocking down 12 of 18 shot attempts to score 34 points by the break.
It was a disappointing end to the season for Westbrook, who added a triple double comprising 29 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists.
In the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers set up a heavyweight playoff battle after completing comfortable series victories.
The Sixers sealed a 4-1 series win after routing the Brooklyn Nets 122-100 while the Raptors swept to an emphatic 115-96 dismissal of the Orlando Magic to also win their series 4-1.
The results :
Toronto Raptors 115 (Kawhi Leonard 27) bt Orlando Magic 96 (D.J. Augustin 15). Raptors win 4-1 .
Philadelphia 76ers 122 (Joel Embiid 23) bt Brooklyn Nets 100 (Rondae Jefferson 21). 76ers win 4-1 .
Denver Nuggets 108 (Jamal Murray 23) bt San Antonio Spurs 90 (LaMarcus Aldridge 17). Nuggets lead 3-2 .
Portland Trail Blazers 118 (Damian Lillard 50) bt Oklahoma City Thunder 115 (Paul George 36). Trail Blazers win 4-1 .
