CLEVELAND — Nicolas Batum’s first attempt at making the game-winning shot didn’t count. He got it right the second time.
Batum’s 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds left in the second overtime gave the Portland Trail Blazers a 118-117 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.
An apparent winning basket by Batum in the first overtime was disallowed because it came after time expired. The basket was first ruled good, but the call was changed after a video review. Batum, who celebrated after making that shot, got a chance to do it again and this time it was the winner.
“After the one in the first overtime was too late, I had to make sure this one counted,” he said.
The game featured 16 lead changes and was tied 20 times.
“I feel great,” Batum said “This was a good game to watch for all the fans.”
Trailing 117-115 with 2.5 seconds remaining, Portland called time and inbounded near midcourt. Damian Lillard passed to Batum, who hit a fadeaway jumper from the right corner in front of Cleveland’s bench.
“It was a tough shot, but I practice it every day,” Batum said.
“Nic makes those shots all the time at practice and shootaround, so we weren’t surprised,” Lillard said.
Cleveland coach Byron Scott praised Batum for coming through in the clutch.
“Hell of a shot,” Scott said. “He caught it and turned around. He was off-balance, threw it up and it went in.”
With time only for a tip-in attempt, the Cavaliers couldn’t get a shot off before time expired.
Lillard led Portland with 24 points while Batum added 22. Alonzo Gee paced the Cavaliers with 22 points, but missed a free throw that would have given them a three-point lead before Batum’s shot.
Anderson Varejao had 19 points and 17 rebounds for his eighth straight double-double.
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