After losing 132-121 to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers will practically limp into the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak.
All things considered, the defeat margin was respectable. Deandre Ayton (left calf), Scoot Henderson (ankle), Jerami Grant (knee discomfort), and Robert Williams III (knee soreness) were all out for the Blazers’ game. Their absence would hurt the Blazers’ chances of winning against any NBA club, much less the Nuggets, who had guard Jamal Murray score a career-high 55 points.
To their credit, the Blazers fought all the way to the end. After falling down by as many as 23 points in the third quarter, Portland managed to close the gap to 126-117 with 2:24 left in the game.
But against the Nuggets, who increased their winning streak to eight games, a comeback attempt was not in the cards.
At the Ball Center, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters, “I knew we would be severely short-handed in this game.” And we had a difficult first half. However, we really gave it our best when we emerged from that locker room in the second half.
With 26 points and six assists, Anfernee Simons led the Blazers. Ayton was replaced by rookie big Donovan Clingan, who finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds in 31 minutes.
Nikola Jokic, a center for Denver, ended with 10 assists, 15 rebounds, and 26 points.
The Blazers shot 40.8% from the field with only two turnovers, but they were behind 40-27 at the end of the first quarter and 75-56 at the half.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Denver, Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) drives past Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo) APAP
In the second half, the Blazers made 51.1% of their field goal attempts, a significant improvement. Nevertheless, Denver scored 10 points off of their ten turnovers.
The Blazers’ paint defense was far superior to that of the Nuggets, who scored 88 points inside the paint during Monday night’s 146-117 loss. Denver lost to the Blazers 58-56 in the painted area.
IMPORTANCE OF IT
It should come as no surprise that the Blazers (23-32) dropped two games against the Nuggets (36-19). Nevertheless, the team’s chances of making the playoffs are severely damaged when they lose three straight games after winning 10 of 11.
The Blazers will return from the break 4.5 games behind Golden State (27-27) for the final play-in berth. Going into Saturday’s game against Minnesota, they were only 2.5 games out of 10th place.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Denver, Portland Trail Blazers player Jabari Walker, front, grabs a rebound in front of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic during the first half of an NBA basketball game. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo) APAP
BENCH OF BLAZERS
The void left by the four injured players had to be filled by a reduced bench. The backups worked for the most part. With 17 points and seven rebounds, Jabari Walker was the bench leader. Shaedon Sharpe and Dalano Banton each scored 14 points. Together, the trio pulled down 13 rebounds, dished out 12 assists, and shot 16 of 35 from the field (45.7%).
UPCOMING
After the All-Star break, the Blazers will play the Los Angeles Lakers on February 20 at 7 p.m.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
