Portland Trail Blazers Unable To Match LA Clippers Defense
The LA Clippers’ high scoring, combined with their surging defense in the second half at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday, led to victory over the Portland Trail Blazers despite an early-season loss.
The Blazers closed an early double-digit deficit to get within 2 points of the Clippers’ lead towards the end of the third quarter, but a Clipper’s 34-10 run contributed to the Clippers’ 127-105 win by the end.
Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers Game Highlights
The Trail Blazers’ defense continues to be an issue on Tuesday. Portland allowed at least 120 points in four of their last five games, and in only one game in 22 games this season could they hold an opponent under 100. The Clippers’ win at the Intuit Dome was their ninth straight win at home. The highlights of the game included:
- DeAndre Ayton recorded 16 points for the Trail Blazers, while Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each logged 15.
- The Clippers’ Norman Powell led with 30 points, five assists, and four rebounds. James Harden recorded 23, including an 11-0 surge after hitting 3-pointers with Mo Bamba.
- Powell now averages a career-best 23.9 points, up from 13.9 points last season. Harden has passed Paul Pierce’s 17th sole possession of place on the NBA’s career scoring list. His new target will now be San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan’s 26,496 points.
- Amir Coffey scored 19 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and Derrick Jones Jr. added 15 for the Clippers.
LA Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers Full Game Highlights
Despite Harden’s record-chasing and Powell’s best season of his career, the Clippers and the Trail Blazers each finished 2-2 in NBA Cup West Group A play.
Neither team is advancing from pool play to the NBA, but Portland plays Utah Jazz on Saturday at the Moda Center.