Trail Blazers Beat Outmanned Clippers 108-98, Take 3-2 Lead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — CJ McCollum scored 27 points, Damian Lillard added 16 of his 22 in the fourth quarter when Portland pulled away to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 108-98 on Wednesday night in Game 5 their first-round series.

The Blazers capitalized on the absence of injured Chris Paul and Blake Griffin to go up 3-2 in the series and could close it out Friday in Portland. If Game 7 is needed, it would be Saturday back at Staples Center.

Maurice Harkless added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mason Plumlee had 10 points and 15 boards for Portland. The Blazers made six 3-pointers in the fourth, with Lillard hitting five of his six as they outscored the Clippers 37-27.

J.J. Redick led the Clippers with 19 points. Jamal Crawford, the Sixth Man of the Year, added 17 points starting in Paul's place.