Spurs Grind Out Last-Minute Victory Over Blazers, 93-91

The energized Portland Trail Blazers and short-handed San Antonio Spurs battled into the final minute at the Moda Center tonight. The Blazers found themselves with a chance to win: down 2 with just 3 seconds left. But CJ McCollum’s three-pointer just missed to the left, and the Blazers fell at home yet again, 93-91. Damian Lillard, McCollum, Shabazz Napier, Jusuf Nurkic, and Evan Turner all scored in double figures. Here are a few essentials from tonight’s game.

• Damian Lillard Injury Scare #75. Lillard seemingly turned his right ankle in the third quarter, forcing himself off the court and eventually to the locker room. Being Damian Lillard, he eventually returned and immediately did this.

• You can’t teach tall. Pau Gasol and former Blazer LaMarcus Aldridge gave the Blazers fits all night, not only leading the Spurs in scoring, but shooting more than a third of San Antonio’s attempts. Speaking of height issues...
• Rebounding follies. Portland found themselves unable to hold down the boards again. Gasol’s 17 rebounds contributed to San Antonio out-rebounding Portland, 53-38. But it wasn’t all bad news: Portland had more offensive rebounds, 12-9.
• For Three? No. The Blazers shot 24% from downtown, featuring McCollum’s ugly 0-7 night that included the final missed shot at the buzzer.

Box Score

Highlights

What’s Next

A day off at home, then the Denver Nuggets come to Portland looking for revenge Friday night. But hang out here for more coverage of tonight’s game from Blazer’s Edge.