The Portland Trail Blazers’ five-game road trip got off to a rocky start Sunday in a 109-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Blazers tried furiously to overcome a 14-point fourth quarter deficit, but the comeback effort fell short thanks to a few late turnovers, missed free throws and some clutch shooting from 76ers’ rookie VJ Edgecombe, who hit a pair of mid-range jump shots in the final minutes to secure the win.
Quentin Grimes had 31 points for the 76ers (37-31), who were playing without the injured
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid and the suspended Paul George.
Deni Avdija scored 25 points to lead the Blazers, but struggled with his shot. He made just 2-12 from behind the three-point line and turned the ball over seven times.
Here are some instant reactions to tonight’s game.
Player of Note
All ten Portland players who saw the floor scored at least four points, but no Blazer ever got into a true offensive rhythm.
Every time the 76ers looked like they were going to pull away, Jerami Grant seemed to have an answer. He finished with 20 points on 7-13 shooting, including 6-11 from behind the three-point line.
His ten third quarter points kept the Blazers close and gave them a chance entering the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the clutch shooting didn’t last as Grant missed a pair of big free throws with just over two minutes to play.
Stat of the Night
The 76ers were dominant in the paint, outscoring the Blazers 60-36. Many of those points came on breakaway dunks and fast break opportunities, thanks to 19 Blazers turnovers that the 76ers converted into 24 points.
The Blazers shot just 18-35 (51.4%) in the paint, while the 76ers were 30-59 (50.8%).
What We Noticed
Despite their poor shooting numbers, the offensive chemistry between Avdija and Donovan Clingan looked promising. In the opening minutes of the game, Avdija drove left around Clingan screens on three separate possessions. One resulted in an open catch-and-shoot three-point attempt for Jrue Holiday. Avdija finished the next play himself and earned a free throw for his troubles. A few trips down the floor later, Avdija found Clingan rolling hard to the basket for a left-handed dunk.
In the second quarter, when the two were back on the floor together, Avdija took a hand-off from Clingan and raced to the basket, beating the 76ers’ defense to the rim, converting a layup and drawing another foul. When the 76ers tried to take that same play away a few minutes later, Avdija faked and cut backdoor for an easy dunk on a nice pass from Clingan.
The Blazers opened the second half with Avdija driving left around a Clingan screen. When the 76ers sent help, Avdija swung the ball back to Clingan, who found a cutting Toumani Camara for an easy dunk.
The Avdija-Clingan pick-and-rolls, hand-offs, and give-and-gos were consistently the best offense for the Blazers. With Avdija looking healthier and Clingan’s offensive game improving, it will be fun to watch that bruising duo attack opposing defenses over the final month of the season.
Meanwhile for the 76ers, rookie VJ Edgecombe did a little bit of everything. He didn’t have his best shooting night (8-18 from the field, 1-5 from the three-point line), but the 6’4” guard found a number of other ways to impact the game, finishing with 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and the clutch baskets that helped seal the game.
Up Next
The Blazers continue their five-game road trip Monday night in Brooklyn against the Nets. Tip is scheduled for 4:30 PM Pacific.
