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Damian Lillard sat his second straight game with a sore ankle, but the Portland Trail Blazers held their own against the rising Utah Jazz, winning a close game in the final minutes. Both teams played rotation players in the final minutes, instead of the garbage time seen in previous games.
Meyers Leonard led the Blazers with 19 points and 8 rebounds. CJ McCollum suffered through a 6-21 shooting night, but contributed 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists to replace Lillard. Al-Farouq Aminu scored 15 with 4 rebounds, and Moe Harkless contributed 11 points and 3 steals in his return from a concussion.
McCollum had the arena's attention late in the fourth quarter when he committed a hard foul on Utah's Gordon Hayward on the break. After a review, the referees ejected McCollum with a Flagrant 2 Foul. His status will likely be determined by the NBA office tomorrow after a review. If the league upholds the call, he will likely sit out the Blazers' regular season opening night game.
The Blazers have 5 full days off, and will host the Jazz on Sunday the 18th.
Stay tuned tonight, as Dave Deckard will have his thoughts on tonight's game later this evening.