Field Level Media
Jan 20, 2024
Jerami Grant poured in 37 points and the Portland Trail Blazers posted consecutive wins for the first time since late November after defeating the visiting Indiana Pacers 118-115 on Friday night.
Malcolm Brogdon scored a season-high 30 points and had seven rebounds and six assists as the Trail Blazers completed a two-game season sweep of the Pacers, spoiling the Indiana debut of Pascal Siakam and the return of Tyrese Haliburton.
Myles Turner had 29 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks for the Pacers, who lost for the third time in four games.
Siakam had 21 points and six rebounds in his first game since being acquired from the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday for Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora and three first-round draft picks.
Haliburton contributed 21 points and 17 assists in his return after missing five games with a hamstring injury. It marked the 11th time this season Haliburton had 15 or more assists in a game.
Buddy Hield added 18 points on six 3-pointers for Indiana.
Jabari Walker recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds for Portland. Deandre Ayton added 12 points and eight boards and Scoot Henderson had 10 points in eight minutes before leaving with a nasal contusion.
Portland shot 50 percent from the floor and made 4 of 12 from 3-point range.
The Pacers made 42.9 percent of their attempts and were 20 of 47 from behind the arc. Aaron Nesmith added 12 points for Indiana.
Haliburton scored five straight points to bring Indiana within 116-110 with 1:22 remaining. Turner knocked down a 3-pointer to cut the Pacers' deficit to three with 16.6 seconds left.
Grant split two free throws with 10.7 seconds remaining to put Portland ahead by four.
Haliburton missed a long 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left, and Walker split two free throws with 4.1 seconds left as the Trail Blazers won back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 27-30, which included a 114-110 victory at Indiana.
Kris Murray's left-handed driving shot gave the Trail Blazers an 88-81 lead with 1.8 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Grant's basket increased the lead to 104-91 with 6:52 remaining in the game.
Turner made two 3-pointers during a 10-2 run as the Pacers moved within 106-101 with 3:45 left.
Grant scored 20 first-half points to help the Trail Blazers hold a 64-53 lead at the break. Turner scored 14 in the half for the Pacers.
--Field Level Media