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An absolutely brutal loss for the Portland Trail Blazers.
After two straight disheartening losses, the Blazers made changes. Coach Terry Stotts changed the starting lineup, and the team picked up their energy, but they just couldn’t maintain it. They led most of the night, but fell in the final seconds the Philadelphia 76ers, 93-92.
Stotts moved Evan Turner and Noah Vonleh into starting roles, moving Moe Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu to the bench. Portland responded with a solid-but-inconsistent game, taking a 13 point lead at halftime, losing it, then fighting down the stretch. But Damian Lillard missed a free throw, and Philly’s Robert Covington went for the win. And he got it.
Sixers' Robert Covington drills deep game-winning three over Blazers' Evan Turner, delighting Joel Embiid (all angles) pic.twitter.com/vqB74vnwN4
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) January 21, 2017
The Blazers had one last chance at a win, but Plumlee’s shot just missed.
Here's how the final 4.5 seconds played out. pic.twitter.com/3ItoewIgjl
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 21, 2017
The Sixers’ Joel Embiid suffered an ugly knee contusion in the second half. He left the game, came back then left again. Video of the injury is below.
The Blazers were led by Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Mason Plumlee and Noah Vonleh.
Highlights
HIGHLIGHT: Good defense leads to easy offense for the Blazers. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/iYGkTV6LGn
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Turner draws the double, finds Plumlee for the slam. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/gJ6y97vaZJ
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Lillard comes out on fire, scores 16 in the first quarter. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/6A6aBTi1uJ
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Foul can't stop Aminu from throwing it down. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/g25aEv1DG7
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
WATCH: Embiid leaves game with apparent left leg injury pic.twitter.com/GXOkaKuSpC
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Aminu steal. Aminu slam. And one! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/NqAo5H8yhz
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
HIGHLIGHT: Plumlee and Henderson get tangled up, exchange pleasantries. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/v8IAlC0wdL
— CSN Northwest (@CSNNW) January 21, 2017
What’s Next
No rest for the weary. The Blazers play their next game less than 20 hours after this one ends, a 2:00 pm PST tip-off against the Celtics. Stay tuned tonight for more analysis of this game from Blazer’s Edge.