The Portland Trail Blazers (19-25) defeated the host Washington Wizards (19-21) 108-98, at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on Monday.
The Trail Blazers came out firing in this one. After a humiliating loss against the 76ers last Saturday it seemed as though Portland had a point to prove. They jumped out to a 32-17 lead after one but Washington responded with a 40 point second quarter, making it a two-point game by halftime. Portland once again came out of the dressing room guns blazing, winning the third quarter 35-19. The Trial Blazers were up by as many as 24 in the fourth and cruised to the ten point victory. Washington has now lost five of its last six at home and is 9-13 at home overall.
C.J. McCollum led the Trail Blazers in scoring with 25 points (9-16 FG, 6-10 3Pt), along with two assists and two rebounds, in 34 minutes. Damian Lillard finished with 16 points (7-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt), six assists and two rebounds, in 34 minutes. Mason Plumlee was close to a triple-double, with 10 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, in 23 minutes. Portland shot an impressive 17-31 from long range and 51 percent from the field.
Washington came into this one missing Otto Porter Jr. (hip), Kris Humphries (knee) and Drew Gooden (calf). Despite missing three solid pieces, the Wizards still had six players score in double digits. Garrett Temple started in place of Bradley Beal and led the Wizards in scoring, with 18 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt). Beal, who has been dealing with a sore leg, played 24 minutes off the bench and finished with 16 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT) and five assists. Marcin Gortat notched a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, with two blocked shots, in 36 minutes.
The Wizards have now lost two in a row and sit 2.5 games out of the top eight in the East. They will host the Heat on Wednesday.
Portland will return home to face Atlanta, on Wednesday. The Blazers sit only one game out of eighth in the West.
