PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Trail Blazers entered Wednesday night's game at the Moda Center with a chance to clinch Group C in the NBA Cup's West bracket with a victory. That was spoiled, however, in a 115-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs , who left with their own win-and-you're-in scenario in Group C heading into Friday night's finale in Denver.

For both teams, the NBA Cup represents an opportunity to play meaningful games after spending recent seasons out of the playoff mix.

"We wanted it," said Portland's Deni Avdija , who scored a team-high 37 points. "We wanted that game. It was a good opportunity for us to advance in the Cup. We fought. We tried to be in the game. It was a tough game, it was a close game.

"I feel like it was a first taste of kind of like a playoff game. I know I'

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