Lillard’s late 3 gives Blazers 108-106 win over Warriors

PORTLAND,

Ore. (AP) — Played tough by the Warriors all game, Damian Lillard needed to make something happen.

And that’s exactly what he did.

Lillard hit a deep 3pointer with 13.7 seconds left to give the Portland Trail Blazers a hard-fought 108-106 victory over Golden State on Wednesday night.

“Now is the time where I’ve got to force it, I’ve got to create the opportunity, even if it’s a tough one,” Lillard said about his thinking as the clock ticked down. “Whatever happens I’ve got to put my foot on the gas a little bit more, and try to make something happen.”

Lillard and Carmelo Anthony each had 22 points for the Blazers, who kept it close most of the way after the Warriors jumped out to an early lead.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 35 points. His 3-pointer gave Golden State a 101-96 lead with 3:57 remaini ng.

Lillard, stifled by the Warriors through the first three quarters, made a 3 that tied it 103-all before Draymond Green’s 3 put Golden State in front with 1:43 to go.

Lillard made free throws to get Portland within a point, then hit a 29-footer to give the Blazers a 108-106 lead with 13.7 seconds left. He took a charge from Green, which prompted an unsuccessful challenge by Golden State, and Portland won its second straight after a four-game losing streak.

“He hit a huge shot, a deep shot,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s what he does. That’s the kind of player he is. Even on a bad night he can get going at any time, so that’s why you have to stay alert the entire 48 (minut es) .”

The Warriors were without Kelly Oubre Jr. because of a sprained wrist. Oubre, averaging 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, was injured in practice Tuesday.

Kent Bazemore made his first start of the season in Oubre’s place.

All eyes were on the matchup between Lillard and Curry, who are among the NBA’s top scorers. Lillard went into the game ranked third in the league with 29.6 points per game, just ahead of Curry at 29.5. Washington guard Bradley

Beal tops the with 32.9.

“He’s a super competitor and never thinks he’s out of a game, and he’s always willing to put himself on the line to make the play, at either end,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said about Lillard. “I think those last two plays speaks volumes for the type of player that he is.”

The Warriors took a 15-2 lead on Green’s layup. Portland chipped away, tying the game at 26 before the end of the opening quarter on Rodney Hood’s 3pointer. Curry had 16 points in the period and 23 for the half.

Hood’s floater gave Portland a 30-29 lead early in the second quarter, but the Blazers were unable to pull away and Golden State led 56-55 at halftime.

list