Time: 9:30PM CST Location: Moda Center, Portland Broadcast: TNT *** The Thunder are back in Portland tonight to face the Trail Blazers in what could be OKC’s final game of the 2018-19 season. Painting themselves into a scenario that somehow feels both avoidable and inevitable, the Thunder have surprised us all in how unsurprising this situation has become as game 5 arrives. Gone are the aspirations of a seeding upset, or of OKC being the playoff dark horse. Tonight is simply about survival. About winning by any means necessary. Because a loss tonight would conclude perhaps the most depressing string of playoff runs west of Toronto. But this is where we find ourselves. I’ll be honest, I have no idea how the Thunder are going to play tonight. If you rewind to a year ago, in another elimination game to a supposedly inferior opponent, you’ll find one of the more bonkers box scores imaginable, as Russell Westbrook went full kamikaze and scored more than half OKC’s points — 46 in total — off of a Kobe-esque 43 shots, including 7-19 from three. So a redux of that is definitely in play, especially if the Thunder find themselves trailing yet again at the half and struggling to make shots. Here is what we’ve learned from Portland so far. They now know they really don’t even need to play well for 48 minutes. More like 24. They know that if they simply keep moving the chains, the Westbrook and Paul George-led Thunder likely will not take the time to find Portland’s weaknesses, or show patience and purpose, and willfully waste opportunities to carve them up. Portland knows they likely will see a lot of early shot-clock attempts go up, and a bunch of them might even go in. But if they can keep it close — statistically, within 10 points — the Thunder’s frenetic energy will drop, the trapping on Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum will be a step slow, and they will have an opportunity to put the Thunder to sleep for the offseason. That’s in play, too. What do the Thunder need to do in order to avoid yet another playoff collapse? Well, lucky for us, they also have more than a handful of games to remember, and some of them against the league’s very best. Golden State. Milwaukee. Toronto. Houston. And yes, Portland. Big games against good teams where the Thunder went in with a decisive game plan, executed it, and gave us all hope for the season. That’s in play. Great defense plus valued possessions can work wonders. It will work wonders. The Blazers, even as well as they’ve played, are still a flawed and beatable team. The openings will be there. But OKC can’t roll the dice as if they’re playing with house money. Well actually, it is house money in a sense. Except it’s their own mortgage that they’re gambling with. The Thunder can do this. They can go into the Moda Center and play better than the Blazers can win. That’s in play as well. But what play will they draw up?<doc-sep>Tuesday April 23, 2019 - 7:30 p.m. PT Blazers injuries: Jusuf Nurkic (out) Thunder injuries: Hamidou Diallo (out), Andre Roberson (out) How to watch on TV: NBCSNW, TNT How to stream: YouTube Live TV, Playstation Vue, Hulu Live TV, FuboTV Radio: 620 AM SBN Affiliate: Welcome to Loud City The Portland Trail Blazers were able to split the two games in Oklahoma City and are looking to close out the series at home on Tuesday. CJ McCollum (27 points) and Damian Lillard (24 points) led the way offensively in Portland’s 111-98 victory Sunday night. They were helped by Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Harkless who chipped in some scoring of their own (19 and 15 points, respectively) to complement their consistently solid defense. The Thunder are facing a first round elimination for the third year in a row. They did manage to win Game 5 of last year’s series with the Utah Jazz when they were facing a 3-1 series deficit. However, that game was in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have not won a playoff road game since Kevin Durant led them to a Game 2 victory over the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. Key adjustments to watch for Keep the energy up. It can be tempting to get complacent with a 3-1 lead. The Blazers need to avoid doing so and play with the same energy and effort that has gotten them to this point. So far in the series, Portland has more rebounds, more steals, and more blocks than the Thunder. The effort of Portland’s defense has been a contributing factor to Oklahoma City’s poor shooting percentage in the series. Keeping that effort up for another 48 minutes will be key. It can be tempting to get complacent with a 3-1 lead. The Blazers need to avoid doing so and play with the same energy and effort that has gotten them to this point. So far in the series, Portland has more rebounds, more steals, and more blocks than the Thunder. The effort of Portland’s defense has been a contributing factor to Oklahoma City’s poor shooting percentage in the series. Keeping that effort up for another 48 minutes will be key. Get some contribution off the bench. If there is one area where Portland can improve in this series it would be the play of their bench. Portland’s bench has scored only 20.5 points per game in the series—the worst mark among playoff teams. The Blazer bench is also committing 5.7 turnovers per game. Zach Collins put in a good effort on Sunday, finishing with 10 points (becoming the first bench player to score in double figures for Portland in the series). Seth Curry hit a few shots in Games 1 and 2, but only scored 8 and 9 points, respectively. Rodney Hood leads the team in minutes off the bench. He has played well defensively but has only scored 16 points in 87 minutes. Getting some offensive production off the bench would go a long way in easing the burden carried by Lillard and McCollum. If there is one area where Portland can improve in this series it would be the play of their bench. Portland’s bench has scored only 20.5 points per game in the series—the worst mark among playoff teams. The Blazer bench is also committing 5.7 turnovers per game. Zach Collins put in a good effort on Sunday, finishing with 10 points (becoming the first bench player to score in double figures for Portland in the series). Seth Curry hit a few shots in Games 1 and 2, but only scored 8 and 9 points, respectively. Rodney Hood leads the team in minutes off the bench. He has played well defensively but has only scored 16 points in 87 minutes. Getting some offensive production off the bench would go a long way in easing the burden carried by Lillard and McCollum. Continue to defend the paint. One key for Portland has been keeping Oklahoma City from scoring inside. Russell Westbrook is capable of wrecking havoc inside with his athleticism. In the Thunder’s Game 3 win, he scored several times at the rim. In Game 4, the Blazers forced him (or baited him) into settling for jumpers. Paul George did not have particularly efficient games in Oklahoma City (shooting a combined 11-for-37 from the field for 29.7 percent), but the Thunder’s other star did a good job of driving and and getting to the line. After shooting 10 free throws combined in Games 1 and 2, George shot 17 and 14 in Games 3 and 4. The Blazers need to continue their aggressive defense while cutting back on the fouls What they’re saying Royce Young of ESPN examined Portland’s focused response to the trash talking of Game 3: Once again, Lillard and McCollum outplayed the Thunder’s two stars, with Paul George finishing with 32 points on 8-of-21 shooting, while Russell Westbrook had only 14 points on 5-of-21 shooting. Westbrook started hot, hitting a couple of 3-pointers early, and a pull-up jumper over Lillard in the first quarter. After he hit it, Westbrook stuck out his tongue and shot a look at the Portland bench. He was more restrained as well, but that might have had more to do with the fact he didn’t have many more opportunities to talk. J.A. Sherman of Welcome to Loud City discussed Portland’s run to end the first half of Game 4: The end of the first half was a microcosm of everything that has made this year’s Thunder both tantalizing yet so disappointing. The teeth of their defense had sunk into the Blazers, and with 2:31 remaining after a Westbrook three, the Thunder were sitting on a 7 point lead, similar to game 3. But despite holding Portland to only 13 points on 5-19 shooting in the quarter, and with the Thunder themselves outshooting them and hitting 4-7 from three, OKC’s focus fell off a cliff.<doc-sep>The Portland Trail Blazers are now up 3-1 on the Oklahoma City Thunder with a pivotal Game 5 set for tonight. The Blazers used a first half rally and a second half scoring surge to put away the Thunder in Game 4, but can they do it again while Oklahoma City players have their backs against the wall and are desperate to stay alive in the series? Will officiating play a role in the outcome of Game 5? Portland can put this series to rest and advance to Round 2 with a win tonight if they can march to victory on their home floor when Game 5 tips off at 7:30 p.m. PT on TNT. The referee crew for tonight’s Game 5 is a group that includes James Capers (#19), Kane Fitzgerald (#5) and Courtney Kirkland (#61). The alternate official is Michael Smith (#38). Do you think this is a good crew? Here’s a more detailed look at the bio for each official for tonight’s Game 5: James Capers (#19) James Capers has officiated 1,297 regular-season games over 23 seasons as an NBA official. He has also worked 121 playoff games, including eight Finals games. Capers officiated the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Capers considers his most memorable NBA assignment to be his first NBA Finals: Game 3 of the 2012 Finals between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In addition to his NBA experience, Capers has six years of CBA officiating experience, including three CBA Finals and two CBA All-Star Games. Capers is the son of former NBA official James Capers Sr. Kane Fitzgerald (#5) Kane Fitzgerald has officiated 571 regular-season games and 23 playoff games in nine seasons as an NBA official. His most memorable assignment was Game 4 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. Prior to the NBA, Fitzgerald officiated in the NBA G League for four years and the WNBA for two years. He also refereed at the collegiate level for two years in the Ohio Valley, Atlantic Sun and Big South conferences. At age 18, Fitzgerald started refereeing at the high school level in New Jersey. Courtney Kirkland (#61) Courtney Kirkland has officiated 1,096 regular-season games over 18 seasons as an NBA referee. He has also refereed 17 playoff games. Kirkland’s officiating experience includes two seasons in the WNBA and three seasons in the CBA, working the Finals in both leagues. He was a high school official for four years as a member of the Baton Rouge (La.) Basketball Officials Association, earning Rookie Official of the Year honors in 1994. Kirkland earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Southern University. At Northwestern High School in Flint, Mich., he was part of the basketball team that reached state semifinals in 1991 and 1992. Off the court, Kirkland has been actively involved with efforts to curb homelessness in the Atlanta area. He also supports the Help for Flint water relief efforts in his hometown of Flint. Kirkland enjoys playing golf, exercising and writing. Michael Smith (#38) Michael Smith has refereed 1,447 regular-season games and 43 playoff games over 25 seasons as an NBA official. Smith says his most memorable assignment was the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. He also worked the 2000 Mexico Challenge and the 2003 NBA Europe Games. Smith has five years of CBA officiating experience and eight years of collegiate officiating experience in the Big Ten, SEC and Conference USA. He also has 10 years of high school officiating experience. Smith officiated the 1990 McDonald’s High School All-American Game. He played basketball and baseball at South Side High School in Memphis, Tenn. - Tim Brown, The Oregonian/OregonLive | @timfsbrown<doc-sep>Can the Portland Trail Blazers put away the Oklahoma City Thunder and advance to the next round of the NBA playoffs? That’s the task at hand Tuesday night when Damian Lillard and Co. look to end the Thunder’s season in Game 5 at Moda Center. Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined for 51 points in Portland’s Game 4 win, while Paul George dropped 32 for the Thunder. He’ll hope to help his team extend its season, but it certainly won’t be an easy job. Here’s how to watch Trailblazers-Thunder Game 5: Start Time: Tuesday, April 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET TV Channel: TNT Live Stream: TNT Thumbnail photo via Rob Ferguson/USA TODAY Sports Images<doc-sep>
The Portland Trail Blazers host the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night at the Moda Center in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Blazers, who own a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven series, can advance to the Western Conference Semifinals with a win. Here are the details: What: Blazers vs. Thunder, 7:30 p.m. TV channel: TNT and NBC Sports Northwest (Comcast/Xfinity channel 37, or 737 for HD) Listen: Radio on KPOJ 620 AM in the Portland area. THE SKINNY The Blazers defeated the Thunder 111-98 Sunday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. CJ McCollum scored 27 points, Damian Lillard added 24 points and eight assists and Al-Farouq Aminu had his best game of the series, recording 19 points, nine rebounds and four three-pointers. ... The Blazers have held the Thunder to fewer than 100 points in three of the four games of the series — winning all three. ... Lillard entered Monday’s play averaging 28.8 points per game in the playoffs, tied with Golden State All-Star Kevin Durant for the most in the postseason. ... Moe Harkless, who finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in Game 4, is averaging 2.00 blocks per game in the playoffs, tied for fourth. ... The Trail Blazers are 20-17 all-time in potential closeout games. ... In NBA history, teams that lead a series 3-1 and play Game 5 at home are 162-3. ... Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook scored just one point and missed all seven of his field goal attempts in the second half of Game 4. He finished 5 of 21 from the field, including 2 of 7 from three-point range. Westbrook is shooting just 30.4 percent in the series. ... Lillard has scored 40 points in the third quarters of the last two games. He ranked second in the NBA in third-quarter scoring during the regular season, averaging 9.5 points. ... The Blazers went 32-9 at home during the regular season and are 2-0 at the Moda Center so far in the playoffs. INJURIES For the Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic (left leg) is out. For the Thunder, Andre Roberson (left knee) and Hamidou Diallo (right elbow) are out. GAME 4 REWIND •Rapid Reaction: Blazers beat Thunder •Blazers ‘shut … up’ Thunder, take commanding 3-1 lead •Canzano: Dame Time right on time in Blazers win over Thunder GAME 3 REWIND •Rapid Reaction: Blazers beat Thunder •Taunting, trash-talking and sideshow antics take center stage in Game 3 •Canzano: Taunting Thunder trying to knock Blazers off Lillard’s back •Blazers not concerned about Thunder’s antics, will ‘use it as fuel for Game 4’ •Canzano: Lillard vs. Westbrook battle is just getting started GAME 2 REWIND •Blazers silence Westbrook, take 2-0 lead over Thunder in NBA playoffs •Canzano: Lillard and McCollum just shot the Thunder back to OKC •Blazers say ‘Everybody came in and gave us something’ in Game 2 •Thunder’s continuing shooting woes lead to another loss GAME 1 REWIND •Kanter, Blazers exorcise playoff demons in Game 1 win over Thunder •Canzano: Blazers hang questions and Game 1 loss on Thunder •Thunder encouraged despite loss to Blazers in Game 1 of NBA playoffs •A photo gallery of the biggest moments of Game 1 Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox