Last night, Rip City had became R.I.P for the OKC Thunder in one of the greatest finishes I’ve seen. In fact, I had ruled out the Trailblazers victory chances with them down by 15 with 7:12 to go. Honestly, I was at the other extreme with a comfortable 9-point lead at 3:29 in the 3rd quarter and joined my wife in the other room for another episode of Schitt’s Creek. Damian Lillard was on fire and his bobble-head on my office shelf was nodding in agreement. I felt even better because the Cubs had easily defeated the Dodgers 7-2 on another channel behind the crafty pitching of Jose Quintana. By the time I rejoined the Blazer game, Russell Westbrook had given the Thunder a 4-point advantage as the end of quarter was near. It was a tough, physical game with Enes Kanter in pain and holding one arm at his side. “Just what we needed – another injury,” was my sour thought as the Trailblazers hoped to advance in the NBA Playoffs.

I had finally gotten to a game this year and saw an amazing Rip City 28-point comeback over the Sacramento Kings, behind seven threes and 37-points from rookie Anfernee Simons. Lillard did not play nor did his side-kick C.J. McCollum, I did however leave the Moda Center with a new Trailblazers hat and the bobble-head. It was a sign of things to come. The victory earned them a #3 seed, but would require both snapping a 10-game post-season losing streak and winning on the road to get to this chance to finish off the Thunder. I had forgotten that they were formerly the Supersonics, a long time rival neighbor of the Blazers and a bitter loss for the city of Seattle. In fact, the future of the Blazer franchise is in doubt after the death of owner Paul Allen. It was even more incentive to advance in his honor.

With everything on the line, the score tied, the clock running down, and Paul George in his face, Damian Lillard drilled a 37-foot dagger at the buzzer and waved goodbye to the Thunder. It’s a shot that’s becoming a Lillard trademark, allowed him to hit the 50-point mark for the game, and certainly got me off the couch to celebrate. With the Indiana Pacers already swept out of the Playoffs, I’m fully behind the Trailblazers as my wife and I head to Hawaii. I’ve had some memorable sports moments in Maui where I once wrote a postcard to my dad stating, “it’s a magical place where the Colts and Cubs always win!” I hope to add the Trailblazers. (See Post #49)