SEE VIDEO OF DAMIAN LILLARD'S BUZZER-BEATING THREE HERE
The Blazers were led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 30 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists, and Damian Lillard's 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and one franchise-changing three-pointer at the buzzer.
Portland jumped out to a 7-0 lead to force a Rockets timeout. They responded quickly with two steals to easily tie the game. Harden hit back to back three-pointers to put Houston ahead, and Howard pushed the lead to 4, and another three-pointer made it 5. Yet another three-pointer made it an 8 point lead, as the Rockets simply couldn't miss. Then they started walking to the free throw line, and the lead reached 10. But Portland's defense tightened, and a Lillard four-point play cut the deficit to 2. Howard nailed a dunk, and as the clock ran down, Lillard stepped back for three. Swish. He scored the last night points for Portland, who cut the 10 point deficit to 1 by the end of the first quarter.
Portland tied the game in the opening minutes of the second quarter, which led to the teams swapping the lead. But at the halfway point, the Rockets got hot from three again, and took a 6 point lead. Behind Aldridge, Portland quickly cut it to 1, and he drew the third foul on both Omer Asik and Dwight Howard on back to back plays. They wasted possessions, but Portland took the lead on a steal and Matthews layup. Lillard got open for three, swish and a 4 point lead. But Wesley missed two open three-pointers, then a layup, then committed a foul and Houston easily scored 8 straight points lead by 4.A late Mo Williams jumper kept the game within 2 at halftime.
After halftime, a number of fans surprisingly slowly and lazily got back to their seats. They arrived to a quick run from the Rockets to take control. Portland called timeout, down 8 yet again. Harden was hot, hitting all over the court and getting to the line to keep the Rockets ahead. Portland stayed close but blew chances to get even. Houston still led by 4 with four minutes left in the third. A Lillard three finally cut the lead to 1, and the teams played to a standstill down the stretch. Houston led by 1 heading into the deciding quarter.
A Nicolas Batum three gave the Blazers the lead to open the quarter, and a monster Robinson dunk pushed their lead to 4. But Portland came up empty, and Howard tied the game inside with 7 minutes left. The teams played mismatches over the next few minutes, and Lopez' FT's gave Portland a 4 point lead with five minutes left. But the Rockets wouldn't go away quietly, as Howard hit two FT's to tie the game with just over 3 minutes left, when Howard's layup gave them the lead. Lopez had a great tip-in to give the Blazers the lead with 2:10 left, but a lucky ball went to Howard for three-point play that gave Houston control again. Matthews missed again, and Howard went back to the line. He missed both, but Portland just couldn't hit anything. Houston still led by 2 with 48 seconds left.
Out of a timeout, Batum got a mismatch on Howard, and took a fadeaway. Swish. Tie game with 40 seconds left. The Rockets missed, but Lillard was out of bounds, so the Rockets got a second shot with 28 seconds left and a fresh shot clock. They missed, but the ball fell into Chandler Parsons' hands right under the hoop, and a layup gave the Rockets the lead with 0.9 seconds left, as the crowd groaned.
Portland had one last shot. They went to Damian Lillard, who took the "Brandon Roy shot".

Swish. The crowd explodes.
In one of the great moments in Trail Blazer history, Damian Lillard sends the Blazers to the second round!
[Courtesy YouTube User Watchnba201415]
Box Score
What's Next
A few days off! The Mavericks won Game 6 against San Antonio, so they play Sunday in the home of the Alamo. The winner of that series plays Portland next week for a trip to the Conference Finals.
Gameday Thread Comments of the Night
# Recs | Commenter | Comment Link |
60 |
Kaanyr Vhok |
[no title] |
43 |
Blazing Chargers |
THAT'S HOW YOU CLOSE A SERIES OUT!!!! |
40 |
MiledAnimal |
[no title] |
38 |
thankyouforblaze |
DAMIAN BLIZZARD FOR THE WIN. |
37 |
LadyAlannya |
I just want to come over and say congrats that shot's going to be legendary. |
36 |
thankyouforblaze |
aaaaaand REC PARTY Y'ALL!!! |
33 |
illumined |
The Rockets were INTERCEPTED! |
32 |
stormtown |
I'm not a lurker I just rec a lot. |
32 |
RoodiePhirnandizz |
[no title] |
32 |
Reasonable Approximation |
HERE COMES THE GREEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
31 |
Timmay! |
[no title] |
30 |
Mortimer |
LAMARCUS YOU WERE BRILLIANT THIS SERIES |
30 |
Threelittlebears |
Wow |
29 |
T Darkstar |
I LOVE THIS TEAM! |
29 |
bustabucket |
DAME LILLARD IS UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!! |
29 |
djrick |
RIP CITY > CRUTCH PITY |
29 |
bustabucket |
SECOND ROUND BABY!!!!!!!! |
29 |
Timmay! |
Congrats everyone. |
28 |
ParticleAccelerator |
This one's for you, Doc. |
28 |
yoshifan |
HEY GUYS! HERE'S THE GIF OF LILLARD'S GAME WINNER! |
27 |
mister bunny |
WE'RE GOING TO SIZZLER! |
27 |
thankyouforblaze |
Bye Bye Dwight. |
27 |
SEAheartPDX |
LILLARD IS LOVE, LILLARD IS LIFE!!! |
26 |
dpnim |
BALL DONT LIE! |
26 |
Reasonable Approximation |
PERFECT |
26 |
xedubx |
Justice is served, after the ref screw job. |
26 |
TuneSquad24 |
holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
25 |
thankyouforblaze |
GET READY TO LOSE, SPURS OR MAVS!!! |
25 |
Calgus |
EVERYTIME WE WIN |
24 |
Tyler Durrden |
THE LEGEND, DAMIAN LILLARD |
24 |
mora2 |
Brandon Roy is smiling at that clutch three |
24 |
Woodsidj |
[no title] |
24 |
joanna592 |
That buzzer beater took away my ability to type and speak |
24 |
tp90 |
THE REC PARTY TO REC ALL REC PARTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
23 |
illumined |
AND THE ROCKETS ARE GOING DOWN!!!!!!!!! |
23 |
twinsbrewer |
what happened? |
23 |
twinsbrewer |
My neighbors knocked on my door and asked if they should call for help |
22 |
Kaanyr Vhok |
Actually he didnt even catch and shoot the ball he just told the ball he was Damian Lillard it it went in the basket. |
22 |
thankyouforblaze |
[no title] |
22 |
yoshifan |
Blazers win with a clutch three pointer by Damian Lillard |
22 |
steven.worsley |
What else can I say but |
22 |
Batumshakalaka |
Unbelievable. |
22 |
phil.k |
This guy has liquid nitrogen in his veins |
21 |
The Real Bill Eyraeb Ates |
pew! pew! pew! |
21 |
Chuck Norriss |
Somebody pinch me. |
21 |
T Darkstar |
I might not go that far, but this was a Series winner, so I think Lillard wins. |
21 |
Sackett |
The tears are flowing |
21 |
bustabucket |
SUCK IT houston and all your whining and flopping!!! WE OVERCAME!!! |
21 |
PhilNaessensShow |
Yes!!!! |
20 |
Mortimer |
WE CAN'T BE STOPPED. |
20 |
rise_stand_resist |
Lillard hit a three with point nine left to win |
20 |
Jack P |
CONGRATS GUYS |
20 |
Blazing Chargers |
Here we come Spurs or Mavs!!! |
20 |
Eat Politicians |
Amazing game |
20 |
Matt Denham |
It is Oakland |
20 |
conspirator5 |
And YOU get a green comment... |
19 |
twinsbrewer |
(I wuz kidding!) |
19 |
KingWes |
@&$&!?&;&(&?@:&3&(#%~*}+}£I |
19 |
FlyByKnight |
Stat I dug up just for you guys. |
19 |
DP0 |
I knew Dr. Jack wouldn't let us lose this one. |
19 |
ferrariford2 |
I AM A PROPHET: |
19 |
KoldStone Tha King |
Bulls fan here |
19 |
Mortimer |
BRING 'EM BOTH ON |
18 |
SEAheartPDX |
10/5 on the Horry Scale, no question! |
18 |
dpnim |
Im wrecking this party! |
18 |
Mortimer |
ICE THE FLAMES OF THE ROCKETS |
18 |
thankyouforblaze |
[no title] |
18 |
Timmay! |
[no title] |
18 |
blindnil |
I'm at home alone |
18 |
T Darkstar |
Thank you. |
18 |
BlazerNation |
Damian isn't human |
18 |
Reasonable Approximation |
I only liked the part where we won. |
17 |
Baysports4life |
GSW FAN HERE |
17 |
NCBlazerfan |
Lillard. That was a moment of pure transcendence. |
17 |
Matt Denham |
Blazers got the ball with .9 left. Lillard's shot was between .1 and the buzzer. |
17 |
allthebacon |
They should, someone just killed the Rockets! |
17 |
gumbypuppy |
rec so hard |
17 |
Idog1976 |
He's from the para-elemental plane |
17 |
Contender |
[no title] |
17 |
BlazerNation |
Lamarcus and Damian are as big as any two players in the NBA |
17 |
NWildside |
THE KING IN THE NORTHWEST! |
17 |
stillatwork |
Sometimes all you need is one. |
16 |
annthefan |
[no title] |
16 |
Tyler Durrden |
THAT WAS THE BEST PART!!!! |
16 |
phil.k |
Floprefbait city* |
16 |
John Blutarsky |
Guarantee most fans at the game are pissed they didn't get their chalupa tonight |
16 |
Reasonable Approximation |
[no title] |
16 |
RoodiePhirnandizz |
are subsiding |
16 |
pixelpusher |
Ice cold and made of gold. |
16 |
Idog1976 |
ABSOLUTELY |
16 |
Tyler Durrden |
so much sweeter considering that horrible call that gave the Rockets the ball back, Damian's just like "you're gonna do us like that in our house?" |
16 |
Idog1976 |
Even more |
16 |
T Darkstar |
SERIES WINNING SHOT Y'ALL |
16 |
RipCityLifer! |
I haven't cried in years. Thanks Blazers! |
16 |
you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows |
Ummm... |
15 |
erastus25 |
No need to compare. |
15 |
yoshifan |
Warrior fan here |
15 |
TheresTheDagger |
From a Rockets fan |
15 |
Nort0n |
Nothing to joke about - it's a fatal condition |
15 |
DarrentheBlazerHawk |
PINCH ME! I MUST BE DREAMING! |
15 |
Corwin71 |
How great was Dame shouting Rip City at the end? |
15 |
plecky |
There's more Clutch in Lillard... |
15 |
Tyler Durrden |
this might be THE best blazers shot of all time |
15 |
illumined |
I'm going to post that gif everytime we win a series! |
15 |
RoodiePhirnandizz |
Hyperventilation and tears |
15 |
Mortimer |
I dinnae cry when me pappy died but I cry now! |
15 |
thankyouforblaze |
Greatest. Cartoon. Ever. |
15 |
fanoftrc |
I knew I wasn't going to sleep tonight |
15 |
tp90 |
I have but one rec to give, oh great one! |
15 |
axel360 |
MY HEART RATE IS FINALY DROPPING TO A SEMI-HEALTHY LEVEL |
15 |
The Real Bill Eyraeb Ates |
Amazing, just amazing. I was a minor last time we were in the second round! |
15 |
KVin2 |
THOMAS ROBINSON!!!! |
15 |
illumined |
The refs at the end tried so hard to make Houston win on that last possession |
14 |
The_Machine |
I believe I can speak for all of us on Silver Screen and Roll. |
14 |
Tyler Durrden |
THAT WAS THE BEST PART!!!! |
14 |
T Darkstar |
My wife said the Blazers have made my hair grayer. |
14 |
Idog1976 |
OMG THIS ^^^^^ |
14 |
gumbypuppy |
"Hit the road, Jack |
14 |
Mortimer |
Both shots are amazing but as this got a huge monkey off our backs and wins a series, this is legendary |
14 |
MiledAnimal |
HIGHER!!! FARTHER!!! WHEEEE!!! |
14 |
steven.worsley |
"I cri evry tiem" |
14 |
T Darkstar |
That will live forever. |
14 |
mister bunny |
I know, people are a little too literal in their elation. |
14 |
twinsbrewer |
Anybody think TV viewers got their time's worth watching this series? |
14 |
lightskin350 |
D Lillard a.k.a. |
14 |
RoodiePhirnandizz |
Just unbelievable |
14 |
occassia |
Well I guess NOT! |
14 |
Idog1976 |
I've never doubted this guy |
14 |
Tyler Durrden |
he's a Lectroid from Planet Ten! |
13 |
Norsktroll |
I'll never wash my lucky long sleeved shirt again |
13 |
PDXLink |
Damian Lillard earning that Adidas contract! |
13 |
Mortimer |
Hahahaha yesssss |
13 |
twinsbrewer |
heh-heh! |
13 |
Michael 2k |
Good win |
13 |
Mortimer |
My feed stopped as the game was finished |
13 |
Mortimer |
Imagine being in the arena for that!!! |
13 |
xedubx |
Yeah, I am in a weird Happy and Mad as Heck phase..Thank God (or the Nets) for Dame! |
13 |
Mortimer |
Yeah it was in the air by about then |
13 |
Variant |
Kings fan living vicariously.... |
13 |
TonyBalony |
Too bad for Silver.. You can't stop the Goonies |
13 |
Reasonable Approximation |
pure class! |
13 |
heybabydrinkyourmilk |
CLINCH |
13 |
Bubbs |
Wow, just instant legend status. |
13 |
The_Machine |
amen |
13 |
Matt Denham |
Laugh while you can, monkey boys! |
13 |
lightskin350 |
YES YES YES YES YES YRS YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES |
13 |
Eat Politicians |
2ND Round! |
13 |
Blazing Chargers |
It's been a long 14 years. Thank you Blazers. You have made my life complete. |
13 |
Bib Fortuna |
Brandon Roy's shot has NOTHING on this |
13 |
Sackett |
Rec Party- Make them all green |
12 |
thankyouforblaze |
THANKS NYETS! |
12 |
colbymac |
[no title] |
12 |
thankyouforblaze |
THANKS! |
12 |
erastus25 |
Has there ever been another series winning buzzer beater in NBA history? |
12 |
Berkeley |
A definite contributor |
12 |
gumbypuppy |
he gets all the appendages |
12 |
dpnim |
That was so reminescent of that shot. OMG |
12 |
NCBlazerfan |
Lillard the Legend. |
12 |
Mortimer |
Awwww even if serious it's no time for that! |
12 |
erastus25 |
[no title] |
12 |
Eat Politicians |
pew pew pew! |
12 |
mora2 |
Adam Silver is mad, no game seven! |
12 |
Sackett |
Whos got a GIF of THE SHOT! |
12 |
Mortimer |
It's exhilirating |
12 |
simonswiss |
Dame is my hero!! |
12 |
Eat Politicians |
OKAY! |
12 |
Badalona Baddie |
So glad it's over right now. Thank you, Dame. |
12 |
Timmay! |
We earned a moment like that after years of pain. |
12 |
Norsktroll |
Nice recognition by Batum that Lillard was coming away from his man. Better shot! |
12 |
Mortimer |
GOOOODBYE ROCKETS! |
12 |
CroRupt |
clutch city? |
12 |
KVin2 |
No it wasn't. |
12 |
Morgoth |
IM SO HAPPY |
12 |
mora2 |
So flippin happy the beard and cry baby are out! |
12 |
Corvid |
Shaking |
12 |
Idog1976 |
He is the |
12 |
Mortimer |
Hahahahaha |
11 |
tp90 |
NEVER WEAR PANTS AGAIN!!! |
11 |
NCBlazerfan |
This SERIES made my hair grayer. |
11 |
simonswiss |
On Craig Ehlo.. |
11 |
Garden of ODEN |
Im reccing hard |
11 |
philantre |
Don't forget to give the Rockets those rally towels to wipe out their tears. |
11 |
twinsbrewer |
Eating Harden's liver with lava beans and chianti |
11 |
Possum Aloysius Jenkins III |
what a shot!!!! |
11 |
Eat Politicians |
rec! rec! rec! |
11 |
Bradley James McEachern |
Techically I just listened to one of the greatest moments in Blazer history as the TV wasn't on for a second |
11 |
Mortimer |
Thank you our friend!!! |
11 |
tp90 |
So Lillard.... |
11 |
KVin2 |
I've just been evicted. |
11 |
RenoBlazerFan |
HOLY POOP!!!!!!!!! |
11 |
Matt Denham |
Ah, sorry. |
11 |
steven.worsley |
Winception |
11 |
BlazersDiaspora |
I turned this green!!!! Rec Party |
11 |
Matt Denham |
We deserve the second coming of Stockton anyway. :-) |
11 |
colbymac |
[no title] |
11 |
Mortimer |
w0rd |
11 |
bustabucket |
"RIIIIIIIP CIIIIIIIIITYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY" -----------DAME LILLARD!!!! |
11 |
poorwebguy |
that was just sick |
11 |
twinsbrewer |
Jordan had a few I think |
11 |
ParticleAccelerator |
+1. That was a monumental frak-up. But Lillard rendered it moot! |
11 |
bustabucket |
The dwightmare is alive!!! |
11 |
KVin2 |
No. What a terrible show. |
11 |
jnewhouse |
just don't go troll now. Got to be rough for them. |
11 |
We-B-Dunkin |
SWEEEEET! |
11 |
cokeandrumandfun |
I love you guys! Whoooooo!!!! |
11 |
Badalona Baddie |
So glad it's over right now. Thank you, Dame. |
11 |
Berkeley |
That hit the spot ! |
11 |
Chuck Norriss |
THAT WAS NASTY |