lucky horse NBA Cup: Norman Powell, Clippers stay red hot at home, torch Blazers

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) moves the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Norman Powell scored 30 points and James Harden added 23 to go along with seven assists as the Los Angeles Clippers extended their home winning streak to nine games with a 127-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Cup on Tuesday night at Inglewood, California.

Amir Coffey scored 19 points, Derrick Jones Jr. added 15 and Ivica Zubac had 10 rebounds as the Clippers avenged one of their four consecutive home losses immediately after their new $2 billion arena opened.

READ: NBA: Norman Powell, Clippers hold off Kings

Powell has averaged 29.0 points in two games since returning from a hamstring injury, and he has scored at least 30 in a game five times this season.

Deandre Ayton scored 16 points while Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each added 15 for the Trail Blazers, who lost for the fourth time in their past five games overall and fell for the seventh time in their past eight road games. Dalano Banton scored 14 points, and Jerami Grant added 12 for Portland.

Dec 3, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) reacts with forward Derrick Jones Jr. (55) after scoring a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

In the final NBA Cup group-play game for both teams, the Blazers were eliminated from the knockout round with the defeat, while the Clippers were bounced through tiebreaker scenarios.

Los Angeles looked as if it would run away early by taking a double-digit lead before the midway point of the first quarter and leading by as many as 12 in the opening period. But Portland rallied to take the lead just over two minutes into the second quarter.

READ: NBA: James Harden leads Clippers’ rout over his old 76ers team

The Clippers led 63-58 at halftime, with the game tight into the third quarter until the hosts went on an 11-0 run to take an 83-70 lead. Los Angeles went into the final period with a 91-78 advantage after Harden scored 12 points in the third quarter.

The Clippers’ Jordan Miller scored five points during an 8-0 burst to open the final period as Los Angeles pushed its advantage to 99-78 with 10:03 remaining and cruised to the victory from there. Miller finished with 14 points.

The Clippers were without Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) and lost Terance Mann (finger) in the third quarter. The Trail Blazers were without Scoot Henderson (quad), Donovan Clingan (knee) and Robert Williams III (concussion protocol). –Field Level Media

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