On Wednesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers, who were without four important players, faced the possibility of losing badly for the second time in three days to the Denver Nuggets.
However, the Blazers resisted letting Monday night’s 146-117 defeat happen again.
The Blazers went into Wednesday’s second half determined to stay in the game despite trailing 75-56 at the break. After falling behind by 23, they managed to catch up and were now just behind 126-117 at 2:24. Although the rally ended there, the final score was a manageable 132-121 defeat.
That is very different from what happened on Monday when Scoot Henderson and Deandre Ayton were available. They were added to the injured list on Wednesday, along with Robert Williams III and Jerami Grant. But in the last game before the All-Star break, the Blazers mustered the will to play for 48 minutes.
At the Ball Center, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters, “I’m so proud of these dudes.” We could have lost by forty points in this game in December or November. However, we fought off our butts.
After winning 10 of 11 games, the Blazers (23-31) appeared to turn their season around. However, they then lost three straight away games, including two against Denver.
During the team’s winning streak, they were known for playing hard and intelligently, particularly on defense. With Williams (knee), Grant (knee), and Ayton (calf) on the bench on Wednesday, that was challenging to achieve. Henderson’s injury to his ankle diminished the depth of the backcourt.
3-time MVP Nikola Jokic contributed 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists to Denver guard Jamal Murray’s career-high 55 points. These kinds of performances from Denver’s top players could have led to a terribly lopsided loss for the Blazers.
Billups stated, “This is a game that could have really, really gotten out of hand.” Jamal is blazing out there when you look at him. After then, you spent two days and nights attempting to stop the Joker, who only had a meager 26, 15, and 10.
The Blazers were unable to. However, Denver found it difficult to contain the Blazers in the second half.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) reaches out to control a loose ball as Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo) APAP
Portland scored 15 assists on 23 field goals and shot 51.1% from the field to win the second half 65-57. In addition, they had nine offensive rebounds and 14 second-chance points, outscoring Denver 28–15.
“For the most part, we played the right way,” Billups said. In the first half, we were being smashed against the glass, but we bounced back and reduced the gap, giving us a chance.
The second half saw 11 points and seven offensive rebounds from rookie center Donovan Clingan, who completed the game with 17 points and 20 rebounds.
According to Billups, DC is an excellent offensive rebounder. It’s his as soon as he touches it. He has performed admirably in that regard. He s established that early in his career, already.
The 7-foot-2 Clingan once again demonstrated that when healthy, any missed shot he can get to could be his.
He goes out of his area to get these rebounds, which is not easy for a guy his size,” Billups said. He could just kind of sit there and wait till they fall in his lap. But he doesn t. He gets rebounds outside of his area, which is a big deal. He s doing a better job of finishing around the basket.
The Blazers go into the break on a three-game losing streak, but they do so on a somewhat positive note, given the obstacles they faced at Denver.
I m very happy with where we are right now, Billups said. Obviously, the injuries don t make me feel very good, and I hope that we can lick our wounds a little bit over the break. We need the break. We all do. Some need a little time away from each other. But that s just what the break is all about.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
