![Damian Lillard helped the Trail Blazers gain a 2-1 advantage over the Nuggets on Friday. [Blasting News Database]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/5/4/660x290/b_502x220x82/damian-lillard-helped-the-trail-blazers-gain-a-2-1-advantage-over-the-nuggets-on-friday-blasting-news-database_2258935.jpg "Damian Lillard helped the Trail Blazers gain a 2-1 advantage over the Nuggets on Friday. [Blasting News Database]")
Many on the East Coast fell asleep before Friday night’s Denver Nuggets at Portland Trail Blazers playoff game came to an end.
It took four overtime’s before the game was finally finished with the Trail Blazers prevailing by a score of 140-137 to take a 2-1 series lead. According to ESPN, Nuggets center, Nikola Jokic played the most minutes in a playoff game during the shot clock era.
It tied with one other postseason game for the most overtimes in a playoff game. Only three regular-season games have ever gone more overtimes (12 regular season games have also gone four overtimes).
Let’s take a brief look at the three games that went at least five overtimes as well as the now two playoff games that have gone for four overtimes.
Note: Longest overtime game data was taken from Land of Basketball.
January 6, 1951 - Indianapolis Olympians 75, Rochester Royals 73 (Six overtimes)
A game that went six overtimes finished with a score that would be low for three quarters in today's game. The 24-second shot clock wouldn't be introduced until four seasons later. Ralph Beard and Alex Gorza led the Olympians with 17 points apiece.
November 9, 1989 - Milwaukee Bucks 155, Seattle SuperSonics 154 (Five overtimes)
Dale Ellis scored 19,004 points in his career, but it was in this game in which he reached his career-high of 53, albeit in a losing effort. The score was tied at 103 at the end of regulation before Milwaukee outscored Seattle 52-51 in the five extra frames. Ricky Pierce led the Bucks with 36 coming off the bench.
November 24, 1949 - Syracuse Nationals 125, Anderson Packers 123 (Five overtimes)
This game was much-higher in scoring than the longest game ever despite coming more than a year before the six-overtime affair. This game took place on Thanksgiving during Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes' rookie season.
May 3, 2019 - Portland Trail Blazers 140, Denver Nuggets 137 (Four overtimes)
With the series squared at 1-1, Portland took a huge step towards potentially advancing in this four-overtime classic. There were six players who played over 48 minutes in this thriller led by Nikola Jokic's 64.The dynamic Portland backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum combined to score a total of 69.
March 21, 1953 - Boston Celtics 111, Syracuse Nationals 105 (Four overtimes)
For over 66 years, this was the only postseason game to go at least four overtimes. Future Hall of Famer Bob Cousy scored 50 points and went an astounding 30-32 from the free throw line.
