Thunder beat Trail Blazers
OKLAHOMA CITY — 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.
Portland’s Damian Lillard scored 32 points, but he had just three in the fourth quarter after scoring 25 in the third.
Pascal Siakam had 30 points and Toronto held off host Orlando to take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Siakam was 13 for 20 from the floor and the Raptors held Orlando to 36 percent shooting.
“He’s unbelievable,” teammate Kyle Lowry said of Siakam. “He’s the most improved basketball player in the NBA this year and he’s only going to get better.”
Kawhi Leonard — battling illness this week — had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Danny Green had 13 points and Lowry finished with 12 points and 10 assists, plus ran down a huge offensive rebound with about 15 seconds left to extend a critical possession and spoil Orlando’s first home playoff game since 2012.
Terrence Ross led Orlando with 24 points, and Nikola Vucevic shook off a slow start to finish with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
Game 4 is Sunday night in Orlando.
Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and Kyrie Irving had 19 points and 10 assists as Boston won at Indiana to take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
The Celtics can close out the Eastern Conference series Sunday in Indianapolis.
Tyreke Evans matched his career playoff high with 19 points for the Pacers. Bojan Bogdanovic had 15
The 76ers are listing Joel Embiid as doubtful for Game 4 of their first-round series against the Nets.
Embiid has been bothered by a sore left knee.