Brandon Roy

There’s just something about trailing against the Houston Rockets in the final few seconds that historically brings out the best in the Portland Trail Blazers’ backcourt elites. Understandably thinking that his smooth, go-ahead pull-up with 1.9 seconds left would become the dagger, three-time All-Star Brandon Roy refocuses in on game-winner attempt No. 2, this time with 0.8 seconds remaining and Portland behind by one. Eerie in similarity to a different Blazers-based postseason shot five seasons later, Roy curls towards the inbounder with his back turned to the rim before adjusting his momentum and elevating into a single motion for a crowd-rocking 31-footer to seal the victory. No. 1 across the entire NBA in 2008-09 in field goals made (13) during the final minute of one-possession games, Roy’s clutch gene couldn’t have been more apparent in a game that offered three lead changes in the final two seconds. Roy’s November 6, 2008 performance concluded with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one 3-pointer, providing momentum that Portland would soon catapult into a 54-win season, their best since 1999-00.

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