Everything was set up for this to be a triumphant game for the Portland Trail Blazers. A win and the Blazers would advance to the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup, but they couldn’t get the job done, falling to the San Antonio Spurs 115 – 102 in a physically-punishing tangle at Moda Center. Turnovers, poor rebounding, and atrocious three-point shooting sealed Portland’s fate.

After a reasonably close game for three quarters, the Spurs pulled away in the fourth. An attempt at a comeback was easily stifled by the Portland’s own inability to hit open threes.

Player of the Game

This one is easy. On a night when 11 out of 12 Blazers who took the court ranged from ok to terrible, Deni Avdija was outstanding. When the Blazers were absolutely reeling in the third quarter, Avdija kept the

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