Indiana Pacers Defeat Portland Trail Blazers

• Sports

The Indiana Pacers basketball team won against the Portland Trail Blazers with a final score of 108:99. Despite Jusuf Nurkic's impressive double-double performance, the Blazers were unable to secure the win. The Pacers sealed their victory in the final five minutes of the game, with Benedict Mathurin leading the way with 19 points, followed by Myles Turner with 17 points and Tyrese Haliburton with 15 points.

Among the Blazers, Anfernee Simmons scored the most points with 20, while Damian Lillard contributed 19 points. However, Jusuf Nurkic was the standout player for the Blazers, recording 14 points, 19 rebounds, and 4 assists in 33 minutes of play.

Lack of Success in Closing Runs

“We were flying around,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “You have to double-team (Damian) Lillard and we trapped him in the backcourt a couple times. But the one constant is Myles around the basket.

There are very few guys who have that presence around the rim and allow you to play with a smaller lineup. Myles was always there”. “We just haven't been good enough down the stretch in this stretch of games,” Lillard said.

“We haven't made shots, we've had turnovers, and teams have been able to outplay us in those closing runs. That's when we have to be our sharpest”. The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 128:115, with Bosnia and Herzegovina player Luka Garza scoring two baskets in his limited time on the court.

In another game, Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 121:108 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a triple-double performance of 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in 35 minutes of play. The Los Angeles Lakers also had a successful outing, beating the Atlanta Hawks 130:114 at home.

LeBron James contributed 25 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds to the Lakers' victory. “I don't think we gave them our best shot,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “You don't miss that many free throws if you're locked in. ... I don't think we had the right approach to beat a team like that."