Westbrook, Thunder struggle in loss to Blazers
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Damian Lillard had 17 points and nine assists before sitting out the fourth quarter and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a four-game losing streak with a 114-95 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
Russell Westbrook was off his league-leading average of 31.1 points a game with 20 for the Thunder, who have lost two of their last three after a six-game winning streak.
Mason Plumlee added 18 points for the Blazers, who led by 26 points in Portland's first game back after a 1-4 road trip. Six Portland players finished in double figures in the second of a back-to-back.
Portland was coming off a 121-120 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night to extend the season's longest losing streak.
The Thunder were without Victor Oladipo because of a right wrist sprain, forcing Oklahoma City's first starting lineup change of the season. Jerami Grant, acquired by the Thunder in a trade with Philadelphia at the start of the season, got his first start for Oklahoma City and finished with 11 points.
The Blazers didn't have Al-Farouq Aminu, who has a sore back, instead starting Noah Vonleh. But Vonleh got into foul trouble, collecting three in the first quarter.
Westbrook's 3-pointer put the Thunder up 25-16 early, but Portland came back to take a 32-31 lead on Allen Crabbe's layup before the end of the first quarter. CJ McCollum made a three-quarter court shot, but he didn't beat the buzzer.
Portland stretched the lead to 50-36 after Evan Turner's floater and free throw. The two sides exchanged words midway through the second quarter when Lillard reached down to pick up the ball at a time out and Westbrook kicked it.
Lillard closed out the half with a left-handed layup to make it 68-52. Plumlee's basket stretched Portland's lead to 90-65 late in the third quarter.
TIP-INS
Thunder: Westbrook drew the ire of fans when he forcefully threw the ball and it went into the seats. He was heartily booed when he touched the ball for the rest of the game. ... The Thunder were coming off a 99-96 victory at home over Boston on Sunday.
Trail Blazers: C.C. Sabathia and Derek Jeter had courtside seats. ... Maurice Harkless had five steals, his most as a Blazer.
ALL ABOUT THE SHOES
In addition to being Star Wars Night at the Moda Center, the Blazers were celebrating the release of Lillard's new signature shoe, the Dame 3. Lillard wore an all-red version of the Adidas shoe, which will be released Wednesday, and the fans at the game were all treated to T-shirts emblazoned with Lillard's logo.
UP NEXT
Thunder: Visit Utah on Wednesday night.
Trail Blazers: Head back out on the road to face Denver on Thursday night.