If Portland beats the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Blazers will clinch their spot in Tuesday’s 7-8 play-in game in Phoenix against the Suns.
Advertisement
Robert Williams III had 13 points and 10 rebounds as Portland outrebounded the Clippers 46-35 and won the turnover battle despite leading the league in turnovers.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds.
After Portland took a 55-35 lead in the first half, the Clippers reacted. Jordan Miller’s 3-pointer gave the Clippers their first lead since the first quarter at 82-79 with 2:05 left in the third. But the lead was short-lived, as Matisse Thybulle tied it at 82 on Portland’s next possession.
After the Clippers took an 88-86 lead with 11:06 left, Jrue Holiday tied the game at 88 with free throws and Williams gave Portland a 90-88 lead with 10:31 left.
Advertisement
Williams scored on a dunk with 8:22 left to make the score 92-88, forcing a timeout. Leonard missed a jumper during the timeout and Avdija’s three-point play made it 95-88 with 7:41 left.
Avdija made two free throws to make the score 99-90 with 4:51 left. A three-pointer by Brook Lopez with 4:36 left made the score 99-93. Portland’s Toumani Camara made the score 101-93 on Portland’s next possession. Lopez received a technical foul with 3:26 left and Avdija fired in to make the score 104-93.
Avdija hit a 3-pointer with 2:41 left to make the score 109-93 and Portland never looked back.
Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe returned after missing the last 28 games and finished with eight points in 15 minutes.
Next
Clippers: Host the Warriors on Saturday.
Trail Blazers: Host the Kings on Saturday.
___
NBA AP: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA