The Portland Trail Blazers had high hopes for their game against the San Antonio Spurs, knowing a win would secure their spot in the knockout round of the Emirates NBA Cup. Unfortunately, they fell short, losing 115-102 at Moda Center. Key issues like turnovers, poor rebounding, and struggling three-point shooting hampered their performance.
The game stayed close for three quarters, but the Spurs pulled ahead in the fourth. Even with attempts to rally, the Blazers struggled to make open shots.
Deni Avdija stood out as a beacon of hope for the Blazers. He was on fire, scoring 37 points, pulling down 6 rebounds, and dishing out 8 assists. Despite his efforts, the team shot only 25% from three-point range compared to Avdija’s impressive 62.5%. However, he did have six turnovers and missed several free throws, shooting just 57.1% from the line.
Portland lost the turnover battle 18 to 9. Though injuries have hit them hard, turning the ball over gives opponents too many chances to score. The Spurs capitalized on this, racking up 12 steals. This sharp contrast in performance highlights just how far the team has fallen from its early-season form.
The Spurs made many tough shots, and while Portland’s defense wasn’t at its best, the shooting from San Antonio made a significant impact. The Trail Blazers also struggled with free throws, shooting below 70%, and their three-point woes didn’t help either.
Looking ahead, fans are concerned about Donovan Clingan, who appeared to be limping late in the game.
As they move into the holiday season, the Blazers will have a chance to regroup. They’ll host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday at 3 p.m. Pacific time, hoping to turn things around.
In a broader context, the NBA has seen a growing number of games impacted by turnovers in recent seasons. According to a 2022 study, teams that average more than 15 turnovers per game tend to miss the playoffs. Portland needs to address this trend to avoid further setbacks.
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