PORTLAND, Ore. — The Sixers had already upset the Trail Blazers once this season and threatened to do it again Saturday at the Moda Center.
The shorthanded Sixers rallied from a 16-point deficit to take the game down to the wire, but the Trail Blazers squeaked out a 108-105 win that wasn’t decided until the final seconds.
Turning point
The Sixers trailed 97-87 with 5:24 to play. They put together a 13-0 run to go up 100-97 off a Hollis Thompson three with 3:15 left. The Trail Blazers went back up 103-100 off a Lillard trey and looked to stay ahead the remainder of the game.
But with the Sixers down 105-103, Ish Smith drained a jumper with 23.4 seconds left to tie the game. The Sixers then double-teamed and trapped C.J. McCollum, who broke free and drove to the bucket for an and-one to put the Trail Blazers up 108-105 with 7.6 seconds to go.
Jerami Grant missed a free throw and committed a lane violation to end the game.
Inside the box score
For the Sixers, Smith neared a triple-double with 17 points (8 for 14 from the field), 14 rebounds and nine assists. Robert Covington recorded a double-double with 17 points (6 for 17 from the field, 1 for 9 from three) and 11 rebounds. Thompson also had 17 points (5 for 11 from three) and seven rebounds. Twelve of his 17 came in the fourth quarter off of four threes.
NBA
McCollum led all players with 25 points (9 for 22 from the field, 6 for 6 from the line) and five assists. For the Trail Blazers, Al-Farouq Aminu scored 20 points (6 for 12 from the field) and had eight rebounds. Lillard had 16 points (6 for 20 from the field, 2 for 6 from three), five rebounds and seven assists. Maurice Harkless dropped 16 points (5 for 9 from the field) and eight rebounds. Ed Davis pulled down 12 boards off the bench.
Injuries
Richaun Holmes, who had returned Wednesday from missing six games with a right Achilles strain, suffered the same injury in the first half and did not return. Then, it was Sonny Weems who strained his right quad and did not return for the second half. Toward the end of the third, T.J. McConnell began shaking his left hand and went to the locker room after the quarter. He suffered a dislocated joint in the second finger of his left hand, which was reset. He was available to return but did not.
The Sixers were already without Nerlens Noel, who missed the game and is out Sunday vs. Golden State with a knee contusion.
Smith breaks shooting slump
Before the game, Smith explained, “I’m just missing the same shots I usually make.” Smith had shot 3 for 24 from the field (12.5 percent) over his last two games.
Up next
The Sixers will play the second game of back-to-back on Sunday against the Warriors in Oakland.