The Portland Trail Blazers’ 113-111 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night wasn’t secured until the very last seconds of the game. After four quarters and five minutes of fierce fighting, Portland’s fragile lead came down to Suns center Deandre Ayton, headed to the foul line with 1.2 seconds remaining, his team down two. If he converted the foul shots, another overtime loomed. Anything else, and Portland would almost certainly win.
As we know. Ayton missed the shots, the first intentionally, the second on purpose. But before he ever stepped to the line, Trail Blazers All Star guard Damian Lillard was in his ear, saying something of significance.