Thunder Win Game 3 by Hitting Shots, 120-108

After going an historically bad 10-61 shooting threes in the first two games of this series the OKC Thunder turned things around against the Portland Trailblazers in Game 3 inside the Chesapeake Arena by making 15 of 29 threes in route to a 120-108 victory.

The basketball saying goes role players shoot better at home and that played our perfectly for the Thunder as Jerami Grant, Dennis Schroder and Terrance Ferguson all had nice nights shooting the three ball for the up and down Thunder. Curiously—Seth Curry didn’t even attempt a shot in almost fifteen minutes of play for the Blazers.

Russell Westbrook except for a few early game bad turnovers was solid for the Thunder and didn’t have any gaffes of note coming down the stretch as the Thunder opened up a lead late after the game was tied early in the fourth period.

Paul George struggled at times but made up for it by going 14-17 from the line and by playing some defense on CJ McCollum who was held to 21 points after being dominant in the two games played in Portland.

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 32 points and was brilliant in the third period with 25 points scored.

Portland hurt itself mightily in the first half by turning the ball over 14 times as the Thunder led by ten at the intermission.

But really the stat of the game was obvious…OKC went 15-29 from beyond the arc while Portland went 12-31.

Three games played in the series and three home wins so far. Portland came to town wanting a split and that I’m sure is still the mantra with the Trailblazer team.

I would think Terry Stotts wants to get something out of Seth Curry coming off the bench in Game 4 while I would think Billy Donovan wants his role players to keep shooting with confidence.

This so far has the look of a traditional series where the teams hold home court serve until the pivotal Game 5 scenario plays itself out.

OKC making shots and Westbrook making good decisions will ultimately decide if the Thunder can get out of the first round for the first time in three years.

Game 4 is Sunday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.