FILE – Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) celebrates after their win over the Dallas Mavericks in an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kim Klement/Pool Photo via AP)
It came down to the buzzer in Chicago, where Portland’s Damian Lillard drained a three-pointer as time expired to give the Trail Blazers a 123-122 victory over the Bulls.
Lillard finished with 44 points on eight 3-pointers.
Chicago appeared headed for victory when Coby White made a pair of free throws to put the Bulls up 122-117 with 11.5 seconds remaining.
But Lillard, whose 44 points included eight three-pointers, closed the deficit to 122-120 with a strike from beyond the arc with 8.2 seconds left.
The Blazers then forced a jump ball with 6.2 seconds left and Lillard was able to snag a loose ball and make the winner.
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It was a narrow escape for a Blazers team that led by 19 in the third quarter.
Forward Lauri Markkanen scored 31 points and guard Zach LaVine added 26 for the Bulls.