Instant Replay: Trail Blazers 114, Sixers 108 (OT)

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BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Sixers nearly played the role of spoiler against the playoff-hungry Trail Blazers on Thursday at the Moda Center.

The Sixers threatened to snap the Trail Blazers' three-game winning streak by forcing overtime. The Blazers fended off the Sixers' comeback and escaped with a 114-108 victory.

Jusuf Nurkic, who has been thriving since he was traded from the Nuggets, had a monster night with 28 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, six blocks and two steals in 38 minutes.  

How it happened
The Sixers overcame a 12-point halftime deficit and closed out the third quarter on a 9-0 run. They took a two-point lead heading into the fourth.

The Sixers went up 95-94 with 55.9 seconds to go in regulation after Dario Saric drained a pair of free throws. Richaun Holmes fouled Nurkic, who made one of his two attempts and tied the game. After T.J. McConnell missed a jumper, Robert Covington intentionally fouled C.J. McCollum on the following possession thinking the Sixers were trailing. McCollum gave the Trail Blazers a 97-95 lead at the line with 19.6 remaining.

Saric turned the ball over on a bad pass, and the Trail Blazers did the same on a fast break. The Sixers regained possession with 11.8 seconds left. Henderson missed the attempted game-tying shot, but Covington was right there to grab the rebound for the putback and redemption to force overtime.

The Trail Blazers took over during the extra five minutes, outscoring the Sixers, 17-11. They outscored the Sixers, 8-2, in the final 58 seconds alone. Nurkic and Damian Lillard combined for 13 points in overtime while Henderson scored six for the Sixers.

Inside the box score
• Saric scored a career-high 28 points with nine rebounds.

• Jahlil Okafor scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in his return from injury.

• Covington recorded a 24-point, 13-rebound double-double.

• The backcourt duo of Lillard (24) and McCollum (23) combined for 47 points.

• The starting backcourt of T.J. McConnell and Nik Stauskas struggled offensively. They shot a combined 0 for 14 from the field.

Okafor starts
Okafor started against the Trail Blazers after he was sidelined the last two games (right knee soreness). Brown inserted Okafor back into the starting lineup and moved Holmes to the second unit. Expect Brown to stick with that plan moving forward.

“It's going to be rare that any time he's available that I don't just go with him,” Brown said of Okafor. “I feel like he's earned that. I think he helps us. We can test drive and see where he's at quickly, make a good decision and feel for where he is at.”

Splitter still sidelined
There is no timetable set for Tiago Splitter's return -- and debut with the Sixers. Splitter has been out since last season when he underwent hip surgery. He is sidelined now by a right calf strain. Brown has not stamped off on a return but has also not ruled out Splitter practicing or playing in the D-League as he works toward a return.

“He is wired as a pro, so it's not delivered like it's demeaning. It's not an insult,” Brown said. “It's a vehicle to return to play.”

Up next
The Sixers will continue on their West Coast road trip and travel to Los Angeles. They will play the Clippers on Saturday afternoon followed by a on Sunday night game against the Lakers.

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