PORTLAND -- Ending a long loosing streak on the eve of an extended holiday break? That’s certainly something to be thankful for.
The Trail Blazers, in arguably their best and most complete game of the season, led by as many as 22 before coming away with a 121-105 victory versus the Utah Jazz in front of a crowd of 17,819 Wednesday night at Moda Center.
“It was just good to see the ball go through the basket for so many of our guys,” said Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. “So many dudes played well. Just a collective effort on both ends of the floor. Not just the shot-making, I thought our defense was very physical today.”
The Trail Blazers are now 4-11 overall and 2-5 at Moda Center this season. The win, Portland’s first since November 3, breaks an eight-game losing streak and evens the season series versus the Jazz at 1-1.
Jerami Grant couldn’t miss, going 10-of-13 from the field and 5-of-6 from three and the free throw line to finish with 30 points in 32 minutes while also handing out four assists, grabbing two rebounds and tallying a block and a steal.
Malcolm Brogdon, in his second game back in the lineup after missing five games with a hamstring strain, looked every bit like the savvy veteran that he is, doing pretty much whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted to the tune of 20 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal in just 24 minutes.
Jabari Walker, who seems to make noticeable improvements on a game-to-game basis over the last few weeks, brought an extra level of energy on both ends, resulting in his first double-double which included career highs in both points (19) and rebounds (10) in just under 28 minutes.
“I was telling some of the guys before the game ‘I got y’all tonight,’” said Walker. “I had like three fouls in the first half (of Tuesday’s loss in Phoenix) so didn’t really play as much as was planned for me probably. I was like, it doesn’t really feel like a back-to-back to me, so I should have the most energy out there, fouling all the time last game. So I came back, still fouled but was able to play more.”
The wing rotation was especially effective with Toumani Camara shooting 50 percent from both the field and from three for 12 points to go with 7 rebounds, three assists and a block in just under 28 minutes and Matisse Thybulle wrecking havoc on both ends to come away with 13 points, three steals, two blocks, two assists and a rebound in 31 minutes.
Game Highlights | Portland Trail Blazers 121, Utah Jazz 105 | Nov. 22, 2023
“Matisse was a one man wrecking crew,” said Billups. “It was just fun. It was a couple times when I’m like, I need to take him out but damn, it’s good watching this. I like seeing it, so I just didn’t take him out.”
Shaedon Sharpe, with less of a load to carry with Brogdon back in the lineup, went 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-4 from three for 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block in 30 minutes.
Not only did Wednesday’s game end an extended losing streak, it saw the return of rookie guard Scoot Henderson, who had been sidelined since November 1 with a right ankle sprain and a bone bruise.
“I think I played alright,” said the 6-3 guard in his first season out of G-League Ignite. “Didn’t take as many shots or nothing like that, I was just trying to get my conditioning up. I ain’t never pressed over taking that many shots, I know they’re going to come, shots going to fall. But really the main goal was to try to come back and get a win today.”
Henderson, who came off the bench and was on a minutes restriction after missing three weeks, finished with three points, seven assists and three rebounds. Wednesday’s game not only saw Henderson’s return, but the debut of his new sport goggles, which he’s wearing to protect his eyes as he gets used to wearing contacts for the first time.
“I’ve practiced in them once, played in them today,” said Henderson. “I adapt quickly to things, the goggles are very stylish, I think I adapt pretty quick. A couple more games it’s going to feel like I ain’t got nothing on my face.”
The Trail Blazers now have the next three days off before facing Damian Lillard and the Bucks in the first game of a four-game road trip Sunday in Milwaukee. Tipoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.