NBA Playoff Recap: Trail Blazers Eliminate Clippers, 106-103
Damian Lillard scored 28 points and the Trail Blazers knocked out the injury-plagued Los Angeles Clippers, 106-103, in Game 6 of the teams’ best-of-seven NBA playoff series in Portland on Friday night. With the win, the Blazers advanced to face the top-seeded Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals.
Portland never had a double-digit lead in the clinching game. The Blazers trailed 82-80 heading into the fourth quarter, but they rallied to take an 88-85 lead on Allen Crabbe’s three-pointer with 8:37 left.
Los Angeles eventually tied the game at 103, but Mason Plumlee was fouled by Jeff Green, leading to the free throws that gave Portland the win and the series.
C.J. McCollum chipped in 20 points for the Blazers, who surged back with four straight wins after losing the first two games of the series on the road.
Jamal Crawford tossed in a game-high 32 points for the Clippers, who lost superstars Chris Paul (broken hand) and Blake Griffin (quad) to injuries in Game 4. Austin Rivers had 21 points and eight assists for Los Angeles on Friday.
2016 NBA Western Conference Playoffs: First Round
(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers
Sun, April 17: L.A. Clippers 115, Portland 95
Wed, April 20: L.A. Clippers 102, Portland 81
Sat, April 23: Portland 96, L.A. Clippers 88
Mon, April 25: Portland 98, L.A. Clippers 84
Wed, April 27: Portland 108, L.A. Clippers 98
Fri, April 29: Portland 106, L.A. Clippers 103
Portland wins, 4-2