On the sideline, Tiago Splitter was mentally begging for a brick.
On the court, Caleb Love was quietly saying the fastest prayer he’s ever said.
In the stands, 18,067 were no doubt dismissing flashbacks of DeMar DeRozan and Desmond Bane and (insert your favorite Blazerkiller™ here).
But this time, there was no need to fret.
Klay Thompson’s last-second three-pointer caromed off the rim and the Portland Trail Blazers escaped with a 125-122 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night at the Moda Center.
“Two hundred and twenty,” Splitter said, smiling, when asked how his heart rate was responding to the staggering number of nip-and-tuck games he’s coached this season.
He was joking, of course, but the Blazers’ acting coach is probably not all that far off.
It was the Blazers’ 22nd game this season featuring “clutch-time” minutes, when the score is within five points in the final five minutes. The only team that has played more is the Mavericks, who have sweated out 26.
And after enduring a barrage of crushing defeats in close games, the Blazers — who won their second nail-biter in as many days — may just be showing a little growth.
There were too many make-or-break moments to count in a game that featured eight lead changes and seven ties in the fourth quarter. But the biggest came in the final three minutes, after the Mavericks had overcome a 17-point deficit to take a 117-113 lead.
There was clutch offense, featuring a tough Deni Avdija driving layup and a smooth Caleb Love three-pointer. There was clutch defense, featuring a Robert Williams III block at the rim and a sturdy contest by Love, which was originally called a foul but later overturned after a coach’s challenge by Splitter. There were — gasp — timely free throws by Love, Avdija and Sharpe. And there was also a little luck.
The Mavericks missed four three-pointers over the final 1:38, including two open looks in the closing seconds.
The first came with six seconds left, when the Blazers were clinging to a 123-122 lead. Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA draft, had darted into the lane toward the rim, drawing multiple Portland defenders, and kicked out to a wide open Naji Marshall. But his shot missed, Sharpe corralled the rebound, and the Blazers’ starting shooting guard made two free throws to push their lead to three points.
The second came at the final buzzer, out of a timeout, when Dallas coach Jason Kidd drew up a play to free Thompson in the corner. Thompson, who owns the NBA record for most threes made in a game (14), collected a pass, pump faked — which caused Love and Sharpe to leap past and open up a good look — then launched a shot.
“I was just praying he didn’t make it,” Love said. “When he pumped faked, I had already jumped and I was just trying to take the three away. He almost got it in. I just wanted to take the three away.”
Added Toumani Camara: “When Klay is shooting, it might always go in. So you never know. When it’s in the air, like, the time kind of goes slow a little bit.”
But has time finally started to slow down for the Blazers (14-19) in these “clutch-time” games?
After a forgettable stretch where they couldn’t buy a win in a close game, they’ve suddenly earned back-to-back nail-biting victories. When the Blazers were at their lowest, Camara and Avdija insisted it was all part of the process, that a young-and-growing team had to take a few on the chin to learn how to deliver haymakers.
Are the last two days a sign of legitimate growth?
“I think we’re improving,” Camara said. “We’ve been through this situation so many times now throughout the season.”
The opinions varied on what specifically the Blazers are doing better in crunch time. Splitter said his team is using the clock better, managing when to foul and not foul more appropriately, and making smarter decisions. Camara said the Blazers are moving the ball better on offense, sticking to the game plan on defense and slowing down to “take care of every possession.” Love said the Blazers are playing with more “poise.”
“We’re not panicking,” Love said. “When we get down, we’re not coming down and shooting a crazy shot. I think we’re just getting to where we want and executing the plays down the stretch. We got the ball in Deni and Shaedon’s hands and we trusted them to make the right play. And that’s what they did tonight.”
Avdija finished with 27 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and two steals, while Sharpe added 24 points, five assists and five rebounds. And Donovan Clingan had his second consecutive double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds).
But Love was equally important, scoring 24 points and making 6 of 10 three-pointers off the bench, which included 12 points and two threes in the fourth quarter. He also made two crucial free throws with 53.2 seconds left, giving the Blazers a 123-122 lead.
But those didn’t come thanks to clutch-time growth or late-game poise. No, those came thanks to Alecia Thompson — Love’s mother.
“My mama would have killed me if I had missed them,” Love said, laughing. “She would have called me and got on me (with) some not-so-nice words.”
But on this night, after a little begging and praying — and another clutch-time win — there would be a different type of postgame chat.
“I’m gonna call her,” Love said. “And she’s gonna be happy.”
Next up
The Blazers play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Paycom Center.