The Portland Trail Blazers were favored Tuesday night at home against the Brooklyn Nets, a rare occurrence this season.
It was also unusual to see Blazers guard Scoot Henderson shoot 13 of 18 from the field, including going 8 of 10 on threes to score 39 points. His career night, however, wasn’t enough for the Blazers to overcome the Nets in a 132-114 loss at the Moda Center.
“He was willing it in for us,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said after the game. “But it wasn’t just his shot-making. I just thought his play-making was pretty high-level too.”
The Blazers’ issues were clear. The Nets dominated in the categories of points in the paint (56-40), fast break points (29-14) and bench scoring (50-18).
The game began promisingly for the Blazers, with Henderson going off in the first quarter for 17 points. But Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton combined for zero points on 0-of-9 shooting. The Blazers trailed 40-30 when the quarter ended.
Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Moda Center on January 14, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Getty Images
The Nets went up 16 in the second quarter, but Sharpe got his offense going and Toumani Camara scored 13 in the quarter to reduce the Blazers deficit to 66-61 at halftime.
The Nets extended their lead to 98-88 entering the fourth quarter, where the Blazers failed to put together a run to draw within striking distance. A three-point shot from former Blazers guard Keon Johnson made the score 120-105 with 3:46 remaining.
“They embarrassed us tonight,” Billups said.
Camara finished with a career-high 23 points and Sharpe had 21. Ayton scored just two with eight rebounds. Simons scored 11 on 3-of-12 shooting.
The Nets were led with 24 points from Cameron Johnson, while Keon Johnson and Noah Clowney each added 20.
Portland shot 44.7% from three-point range (17 of 38). The Nets shot 46.3% (19 of 14).
“Our pride wasn’t there on the defensive end of the floor,” Billups said.
The Nets moved the ball far better than the Blazers racking up 36 assists compared to 20 for Rip City.
DONOVAN CLINGAN INJURED
Rookie center Donovan Clingan left the game with an injured ankle. Billups said he didn’t know the severity.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (13-26) have lost four out of their last five games. The Nets (14-26), who entered the night having lost 16 of 20, snapped their six-game losing streak.
INJURIES
The Blazers welcomed back Dalano Banton but were down Deni Avdija (right ankle sprain), Robert Williams III (illness) and Jerami Grant (face contusion).
Billups began the game with Henderson and Simons in the backcourt, Sharpe and Camara at the forward positions with Ayton at center.
Banton came of the bench to score 10 points on 3-of-7 shooting.
NEXT UP
The Blazers host the LA Clippers (21-17) at 7 p.m. Thursday night.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)