Clippers vs. Trail Blazers: Game 6 Score, Twitter Reaction for 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Portland Trail Blazers are headed back to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the second time since 2014 after staving off a late 8-2 run by the Los Angeles Clippers to capture a 106-103 win at the Moda Center Friday night.  

According to Trail Blazers PR on Twitter, Friday marked the first time since the 1977 NBA Finals that Portland won four consecutive playoff games in a single series. Additionally, Elias Sports (via Blazers PR) noted the Blazers became the second team in NBA history to lose their first two games by 20-plus points and still capture a series victory. 

The real story, though, was the fight L.A. demonstrated despite playing without Chris Paul (hand) and Blake Griffin (quad).

While it would have been easy for the Clippers to fold in a hostile environment, they battled until the very last second behind a postseason career-high 32 points (10-of-25 shooting) from Jamal Crawford.

Austin Rivers was particularly sensational as he sought to keep the Clippers afloat.

After receiving 11 stitches over his left eye in the first half, Rivers returned to the floor and finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds in a tremendous display of heart, according to The Ringer’s Bill Simmons:  

Kudos to Austin Rivers – lots of respect for what he did tonight. Small consolation prize for another lost Clippers season.

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) April 30, 2016

But ultimately, the Clippers didn’t have enough juice to keep pace with the Blazers’ more balanced attack. 

Damian Lillard (28 points) and C.J. McCollum (20 points) both put forth strong efforts in the series clincher, while Moe Harkless dropped 14 points to finish in double-figures for the fifth straight game to match a season high, according to Blazers PR.  

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Al-Farouq Aminu (10 points, six rebounds), Allen Crabbe (13 points) and Mason Plumlee (nine points, 14 rebounds, four assists) also proved to be integral contributors. 

Despite lacking the depth necessary to force a Game 7, the Clippers did everything in their power to remain competitive with their season on the …

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