After defeating the Houston Rockets in games 1 and 2 on the road, the Portland Trail Blazers returned home to host the Rockets on Friday night in an attempt to take a commanding 3-0 lead in their first round Western Conference playoff series.
Rookie Troy Daniels, who played in just five regular season games this season, had other ideas. Daniels caught a pass from Jeremy Lin when he came up with the ball in a mad scramble after James Harden lost the ball as he attempted to drive to the basket in a tie game. Daniels buried a three and then the Rockets got a stop and sealed the deal at the free throw line.
If the Rockets can win at Portland for the second time in three nights, they will regain home court advantage.
They may have caught a break when Trail Blazers’ swingman Wesley Matthews injured his arm trying to shoot over Rockets’ power forward Terrence Jones.
Matthews has played since the injury.
Thanks to @cjzero for the GIF.