Westbrook leads Thunder past Trail Blazers, 120-108

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Russell Westbrook called his play in Game 2 “unacceptable.”

It was more than acceptable in Game 3. He had 33 points and 11 assists and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday night to cut their series deficit to 2-1.

Paul George added 22 points, Jerami Grant had 18 and Dennis Schroder 17 for the Thunder. They will host Game 4 on Sunday night.

Damian Lillard scored 32 points, but he had just three in the fourth quarter after scoring 25 in the third. C.J. McCollum had 21 and Enes Kanter added 19.

Oklahoma City closed the second quarter on a 10-1 run to take a 49-39 lead. Lillard was held to four points on 2 -or-6 shooting and the Trail Blazers shot 37.5% in the half.

George hit a 3-pointer, was fouled and made the free throw in the opening minutes of the second half to push Oklahoma City’s lead to 55-43. Westbrook backed down Lillard, hit a bank shot and was fouled. Westbrook brought out his “rock the baby” celebration, then made the free throw to put Oklahoma City up by 15.

Lillard scored 23 points the rest of the quarter to help cut Oklahoma City’s lead to 86-82 at the end of the period. McCollum hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 89 early in the fourth.

Oklahoma City regained control, then kept it. Westbrook’s jumper with just over two minutes remaining put the Thunder up 10.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Westbrook usually says “Next question” when Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel asks him anything. During the pregame media session, Portland coach Terry Stotts went up to the podium with a smile, looked at Tramel and said, “Go ahead, Berry. I’ll answer your question,” drawing laughter from the reporters. … F Maurice Harkless was called for a technical in the final minute for throwing his headband.

Thunder: Derek Williamson of Midwest City, Oklahoma had 24 seconds to make a halfcourt shot for $20,000 from Mid-First Bank. He drained his last try. Later on, Jesse Norman of Prague, Oklahoma, made one later for another $20,000. … Grant hit a 3-pointer in the opening minute after missing his first eight in the series. … Westbrook was called for a technical in the final minute.

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Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP

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