By Michael Hudson
Eagle News Service
PORTLAND, Ore. (Eagle News) — The match up between one of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the struggling Brooklyn Nets went down to the final second as the Nets pulled out a 107-105 victory at the Moda Center.
The Nets did not disappoint as they started the game on a 5-0 run encapsulated by a 4-point play by Brooklyn Nets’ Shooting Guard, Joe Harris who swished a 3-pointer while being fouled by Portland guard, Anfernee Simons.
Things got chippy early as the Blazers’ starting center Jusuf Nurkic and Brooklyn’s NBA megastar Kevin Durant had to be separated during the first timeout of the game as they were barking back and forth at each other.
This semi-hot confrontation led to back-and-forth baskets from both teams but was capped by Portland’s Damian “Dame” Lillard’s 3-pointer that cut Brooklyn’s lead to one with 5:09 left in the 1st quarter.
With the game tied 28-28 heading into the 2nd quarter, the Trailblazers’ 2nd unit went on a tear, led by strong play by Forwards Drew Eubanks and Justice Winslow. The Nets held serve, however, with Durant scoring 10 in the quarter.
Portland closed out the 1st half strong with Dame scoring on a coast-to-coast acrobatic lay-up as the closing buzzer sounded, making it 61-57 at the half.
Donning their new black and teal NBA “City Edition” uniforms with a PDX logo centered on the front in white type, the Trailblazers widened the gap even more as they cashed in on many exciting offensive possessions, including Simons who was fouled after executing a fancy behind-the-back dancer before laying the ball in for the score.
With the Nets growing cold in the 3rd quarter, things got even more frustrating as Durant was called for a technical foul at the 3:49 mark after arguing a call with a referee.
The frustration quickly wavered as Durant connected on a one-legged floater with 1:27 left to cut Portland’s lead to one.
The Nets’ Yuta Watanabe’s three with :10 left propelled Brooklyn to a 85-82 lead heading into the 4th quarter.
The game was quickly tied 85-85 as Eubank’s made a three to start the final quarter.
In the closing seconds of the game, Nets’ forward Royce O’Neale tipped in a Durant miss with .07 seconds left to solidify the victory.
Durant led the Nets with 35 points while Lillard paced Portland with 25 points on only 8 of 24 shooting.
The Nets were once again without superstar point guard Kyrie Irving who missed his eighth straight game due to a league suspension he sustained from offensive comments he made a few weeks ago.
NEXT UP
The Portland Trailblazers (10-5) host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
The Brooklyn Nets (7-9) host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.