PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers broke open a tied game with a 38-point third quarter Tuesday night and beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-103 at Moda Center, improving to 7-3 on the season.
Damian Lillard led Portland with 25 points in just 24 minutes, hitting 8 of 15 shots, 4 of 10 from three-point range and all five of his free throws. Deni Avdija added 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Sidy Cissoko came off the bench for 17. Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson each finished with 11.
The teams were level at 59 at halftime after Portland won the second quarter 33-32. The Blazers then outscored Oklahoma City 38-21 in the third, stretching the margin to 97-80 going into the fourth, and the Thunder never got closer. Portland closed with a 26-23 edge in the final period.
The Blazers shot 19 of 50 from beyond the arc and 24 of 26 at the free-throw line. They had 26 assists on 40 made baskets and committed only eight turnovers, compared with 12 for the Thunder, and they won the fast-break battle 13-10. Donovan Clingan pulled down 13 rebounds with two blocks, and the Blazers finished one rebound behind the Thunder, 45-44.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 for Oklahoma City, going 10 of 11 at the line but only 8 of 22 from the field. Jared McCain had 21 points, Ajay Mitchell 14 and Bennett Stirtz 13, while Aday Mara grabbed 10 rebounds. The Thunder, who fell to 8-3, shot 44 percent overall and 8 of 22 from deep.
The crowd at Moda Center was announced at 19,367. Portland is now 2-2 at Moda Center this season, and Oklahoma City is 3-3 on the road.