Spurs Halt Portland’s NBA Cup Push With 115-102 Victory in Group C
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The San Antonio Spurs spoiled Portland’s chance to clinch Group C in the NBA Cup’s Western bracket, defeating the Trail Blazers 115-102 on Wednesday night at the Moda Center.
Portland (now 2-1 in group play) would have secured first place with a win, but instead San Antonio (also 2-1) heads to Friday’s finale in Denver needing a victory to advance to the quarterfinals. The Nuggets-Spurs matchup will eliminate the loser.
Fox, Avdija trade 37-point performances
De’Aaron Fox matched Deni Avdija shot for shot, with both guards scoring 37 points. Fox collected 23 of his total after halftime and hit all 12 of his free throws, two nights after going 14-for-16 at the line in Phoenix. Avdija’s 37 were a season high and kept Portland close until the fourth quarter.
“We wanted that game,” Avdija said. “It felt like a first taste of a playoff atmosphere.”
Short-handed Blazers lack postseason experience
The Blazers were without Jrue Holiday (calf strain), Damian Lillard and Matisse Thybulle, leaving only Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III as players with playoff experience. San Antonio, by contrast, started veterans Harrison Barnes, Fox and Luke Kornet and used postseason-tested reserves Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III. Rookie guard Dylan Harper returned from a calf injury; fellow first-round picks Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama remained sidelined.
Spurs eye trip to Las Vegas
“Everything helps this group,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of the young roster’s opportunity in the in-season tournament. “Guys want to get to Vegas and play for the championship.” Fox echoed the sentiment, noting that the stakes have been clear in the locker room.
The loss leaves Portland needing outside help to stay alive in the Cup. Still, Avdija called the game “a good test for years to come.”
Source: ESPN
