The Portland Trail Blazers ended their six-game losing streak with a fun 102-89 victory over the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center Wednesday night. Without their leader Damian Lillard, the Blazers picked up the defensive intensity and left the Kings unable to easily score.
In a team effort, the Blazers were led by CJ McCollum (20 points), Allen Crabbe (13 points), Moe Harkless (12 points), Mason Plumlee (12 points, 14 rebounds), Evan Turner (11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists) and Meyers Leonard (16 points, 5 rebounds).
First Half
The Blazers wasted no time taking control, using strong defense and shooting to pull out in front. The Moda Center fans ate it up, booing DeMarcus Cousins each time he touched the ball, and cheering their home team as they scored seemingly at will. Leonard’s strong first-half performance helped keep Cousins on his heels, and Portland headed to the locker room with a nice lead.
Halftime: Portland Trail Blazers 60, Sacramento Kings 44
McCollum to Harkless for the lob is pure poetry #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/mODJdoYpXk
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Second time's a charm: Napier drills a three after Vonleh offensive rebound #RipCity pic.twitter.com/nB2mAdcjDb
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Cousins rejected by Vonleh, Leonard nails a three #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/5BbA4WU7En
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Make way for the Chief: Aminu with the nifty footwork #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/FR4JocKx44
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Mase in your face! #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/DINFUzumlI
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Second Half
Portland pushed the lead to 20 early in the third quarter, but the Kings started their inevitable comeback. Neither team was able to score for large parts of the third, but Cousins eventually found the range from three. They charged back... very slowly. The Kings pulled within single digits in the fourth quarter, but the Blazers batted back every single run. Moe Harkless swished a three with five minutes left to give Portland a 12 point lead again, and Leonard forced a Matt Barnes turnover. Barnes was promptly T’d up, and the Blazers had a big enough lead to hold off Sacramento’s last-ditch comeback.
Plumlee runs out, lobs it to Harkless for the jam #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/xP2Z3diN2W
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Blazers not letting up, Plumlee with the & 1 #RipCity #CSNBlazers pic.twitter.com/lw4xwYOFSq
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
Make way! Plumlee plows through to seal it (with replay) pic.twitter.com/pNnuoDXZuD
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) December 29, 2016
What’s Next
The Blazers head out on the road, with a date in San Antonio Friday evening. But stay tuned for more coverage of this game from Blazer’s Edge later tonight.
Top Comments of the Night!
Some of the best stuff on the site comes from our comments. Here were a few favorites in tonight’s Gameday Thread.