The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the host Brooklyn Nets, 113-99, at Barclay's Center on Thursday.
In the first game back from the all-star break, Portland came out with a huge road win. In fact, they finished the game on a 12-4 run across the final 3:35, as a 34-22 third quarter gave them separation. The Trail Blazers actually held the lead for the entirety of the second half, leading by double-digits throughout the second half. Rebounding was key for the Trail Blazers, as they outrebounded the Nets, 60-49. Portland also shot 44 percent from the field while holding Brooklyn to just 39 percent shooting. The seven steals and nine blocks recorded by the Blazers were huge too, as the Nets had just six combined steals and blocks.
The Trail Blazers (35-23) were led by Jusuf Nurkic, as he tallied 27 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks on 10-of-15 from the field. Damian Lillard accumulated 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. C.J. Mccollum totaled 21 points, six rebounds and five assists while Enes Kanter led the bench with 18 points and nine boards in his Portland debut.
The Nets (30-30) leading scorer came off the bench, with Allen Crabbe amassing 17 points and four rebounds. D'Angelo Russell led the starters with 14 points, four rebounds and eight assists on 4-of-16 from the field. Jarrett Allen finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes. Ed Davis and DeMarre Carroll each provided 10 rebounds off the bench while Shabazz Napier handed out a game-high 10 assists.
Both teams return to action on Saturday, with Portland traveling to face the new-look Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn traveling to play the Charlotte Hornets.
