PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Damian Portland Trail Blazers Lillard Portland Trail Blazers had 36 factors and Portland Trail Blazers eight assists, Anfernee Simons delivered 31 factors and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the MPortland Trail Blazers innePortland Trail Blazers sota Timberwolves 124-118 on Saturday night time.
Portland overcame a ten-point deficit within the 2nd half of to beat Portland Trail Blazers Minnesota in the opener of a -sport set. They will meet once more in Portland on Monday night.
Jerami Grant delivered 17 points for Portland, and Jusuf Nurkic had 15 rebounds. Drew Eubanks scored 10 factors, on a ferocious Portland Trail Blazers dunk on Rudy Gobert.
“I became much like Drew is bouncy, however Rudy Gobert like he’s so tall and long, he continually get to it. He usually kind of stands beneath the Portland Trail Blazers rim so I said, `Let’s see how this one pass,’” Lillard said about Eubanks’ slam. “And he got ’em!”
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 26 factors, and Gobert and D’Angelo Russell had 24 factors apiece.
Minnesota Timberwolves defend Wendell Moore Jr., left, passes the ball as Portland Trail Blazers ahead Trendon Watford, Portland Trail Blazers center, and ahead Drew Eubanks, proper, guard for the duration of the primary half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steve Dykes
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch, proper, speaks with referee Pat Fraher during the primary half of of the team’s NBA basketball sport against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steve Dykes
Portland Trail Blazers defend Damian Lillard (0) hits a shot over Minnesota Timberwolves protect Wendell Moore Jr. all through the primary half of an NBA basketball recreation in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Steve Dykes
Portland’s third-area rally commenced on the protective end, however there has been no big strategic modifications. Rather, it changed into the players who sparked the shielding alternate in themselves.
“I think it changed into our guys in the huddle hard each other,” Blazers teach Chauncey Billups stated about what modified defensively. “They were pretty disenchanted with every different giving up baskets so without difficulty. By the manner, (Minnesota) can try this to you. They can make you appearance that manner. But on the same time our guys had quite a few pleasure. It turned into definitely them. It wasn’t Portland Trail Blazers me, it become them speaking to each different.”
“We realize we had to select it up, that’s the largest issue,” Blazers guard Josh Hart said approximately Portland’s protection. “We understand they made photographs however you bought to be better defensively. That’s how we we’re going to win games, that’s how we play fast and we’re a hard team to conquer whilst we do that.”
The Trail Blazers rallied to take a ninety four-92 gain into the fourth region. Lillard became a large reason why, Portland Trail Blazers scoring 12 points in the 0.33 sector.
Lillard was 15 of 15 from the free-throw line because the Blazers outscored Minnesota 25-18 at the foul line.
“There had been a group of times where we didn’t should foul,” Minnesota’s Naz Reid stated after the game.
The Blazers also had a large gain in 2nd-threat points, 22-4.
After scoring forty points Thursday night in a loss to Denver, Lillard became warm once more, scoring 11 points within the first zone to help the Blazers take a Portland Trail Blazers 32-27 lead.
Timberwolves: Minnesota defend Jordan McLaughlin sat out due to a strained calf. Coach Chris Finch said McLaughlin’s status is “day-to-day.”
Trail Blazers: Guard Gary Payton II has yet to play this season in a comeback from center muscle surgical treatment. Payton is participating in 3-on-3, however does no longer have a delegated date to go back. “He became pretty sore after he performs, however I’m just satisfied to look him at the court,” Blazers instruct Chauncey Billups said. “I’m happy to look him on the court docket, which means glaringly he’s getting closer.”
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