Mar 31, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers guard Darius Garland (10) dribbles the ball in opposition to Portland Path Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle (4) in the course of the first half at Intuit Dome. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos Jrue Vacation scored 30 factors and Deni Avdija recorded 28 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists because the Portland Path Blazers scored a vital 114-104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in Inglewood, Calif.
Portland (39-38) pulled inside a half-game of Los Angeles (39-37) for eighth place within the Western Convention, a spot that might require only one play-in win as a substitute of two to succeed in the playoffs. The Blazers turned in an impressed efficiency, taking the lead late within the first quarter and by no means relinquishing it.
Avdija’s 5 consecutive factors, then a pair of assists to Toumani Camara and Kris Murray, ignited a 16-2 run halfway by way of the second quarter.
The surge gave Portland a double-digit-point cushion that reached as many as 19 factors. Los Angeles by no means acquired nearer than eight factors after halftime.
A 48-30 benefit on the boards helped the Blazers deny Los Angeles any rally alternative. Portland attacked the offensive glass particularly successfully, snaring 18 that led to 32 second-chance factors.
Camara and Murray every snared 4 of their seven whole rebounds on the offensive glass. Avdija, Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan all pulled down two offensive boards.
Clingan additionally delivered one of many highlight-reel moments of the evening, scoring half of his 4 factors on a third-quarter fastbreak dunk set on a lob cross from Vacation.
Camara added 17 factors and Henderson completed with 15 as Portland took the primary of two late-season matchups between the groups.
Los Angeles got here into the evening on a five-game profitable streak, however committing 14 turnovers and getting dominated on the glass contributed to finish of the Clippers’ scorching run. So too did an uncommon off scoring evening from bench spark plug Bennedict Mathurin, who completed with simply 4 factors on 2-of-7 success from the ground.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 23 factors and eight rebounds. Darius Garland added 20 factors, Brook Lopez put up 18, John Collins had 17 and Jordan Miller contributed 16.
–Area Stage Media
