CJ McCollum’s shot on the buzzer was not good, and the Portland Trail Blazers’ an improved effort against the Los Angeles Clippers was spoiled. At the final whistle, it was the Clippers who were on the right side of a 113-112 heartbreaker.
The Blazers missed Damian Lillard for the third consecutive game with Jusuf Nurkic, yet it looked like they were in a good position to take the upset to the final seconds.
McCollum led the way to Portland with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Norman Powell added 23 points.
First term
Maybe it was the Clippers who played without Kawhi Leonard, or maybe it was the much-needed desperation of the Blazers, but Portland were able to get into the rhythm early and avoid the seemingly inevitable hole in the first quarter that was their downfall lately. McCollum and Powell both did their thing to find gold in the hills to push the pass offensively and attack before Los Angeles could disappear into the clutches. It was all the systems that passed because the two just put their heads down and went all the way to the edge and took what the disruptive defense would give them. It was fresh air, but was accompanied by a known bunch of defensive shortcomings. The Blazers struggled with the Clippers’ long-wing combination of Paul George and Marcus Morris Sr., who were apparently able to get at any level they wanted. A McCollum last-minute power plane gave Portland a small 31-30 lead.
Second term
The second units for both sides did well to maintain the intensity. For the Blazers, it was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson who held a live audition for why he deserves another contract while serving as the team’s de facto rugby center against the objective big man DeMarcus Cousins. Hollis-Jefferson’s stats would not look brilliant, but along with Nassir Little, the two provided a big boost in the turmoil section, helping Portland stay afloat while most of the firepower rests on the bench. When McCollum and Powell returned, the Blazers rattled off a quick 12-2 run and led by 10 points, but LA did not take long to pull right back into a bucket. Free throw from Carmelo Anthony maintains a 60-56 lead at the half.
Third term
McCollum dominated the ball for most of the quarter, but was just as successful. When he could get closer to the basket, his finesse seemed on point; when he decided for tries, not so much. Yet it was enough to hold on as the Clippers continued to squirm as if completely unaware of the fragile state of Portland’s confidence. George was still a thorn, along with Reggie Jackson, who both went on to extend LA’s ridiculous season of outside shooting while taking advantage of a four-point lead in the final frame.
Fourth term
The Clippers did not exactly bother to close this one. They rolled with Cousins and the team crew for nearly half of the quarter, and by that time, Portland had stormed out to score five points. LA joined behind George when he returned, but the Blazers still led 112-107 with just over a minute left. From there, it was a series of worst-case scenarios. George scored six consecutive points, including two breakaway free throws from a questionable error with 4.8 seconds left. McCollum had the chance to be the hero on the other side, but his 14-foot pull-up could not find the net.
Box count
What’s next
The Blazers will stay at the Moda Center in Denver tomorrow night to tackle the Denver Nuggets. The tip was set at 7pm in the Pacific.