Trail Blazers 122-108 Timberwolves (Nov 12, 2024) Game Summary

PORTLAND, Ore. — — Robert Williams and Jerami Grant each scored 19 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 122-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Williams, who recently returned from a knee injury, also had nine rebounds and three assists.

Naz Reid led Minnesota with 28 points in the loss, while star guard Anthony Edwards poured in 26 points.

The Blazers, who entered the game as the second-worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA, shot 18 for 32 (56%) from behind the 3-point line.

The Blazers jumped out to a 28-17 lead after the first quarter, capped by a Dalano Banton 3-pointer at the buzzer. Banton entered the game after Portland lost Anfernee Simons for the game to a pectoral injury and his backup, Scoot Henderson, picked up three fouls in the first quarter.

Takeaways

Timberwolves: Minnesota entered Tuesday’s bowl game having blown an 88-80 lead in the final five minutes to the Miami Heat on Sunday. Their coach Chris Finch blamed himself for the loss. “I take credit for that whole game, it was a complete meltdown in a lot of ways. I didn’t have enough answers for the zone,” Finch said. “It wasn’t anything late in the game as much as I thought the zone really stifled us .”

Blazers: Donovan Clingan got the first start of his NBA career Tuesday night in place of Deandre Ayton, who missed the game with a sprained finger. He started the game with a block against Rudy Gobert in the opening game and a fumble a few balls later.

Key moment

Portland had two 3-pointers hit at the end of the quarter, one from Banton to end the first quarter and another from Deni Avdija to end the third quarter.

Key state

The Blazers dominated the bench points in Tuesday night’s game, outscoring Minnesota 64-39.

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