LOS ANGELES — In a commanding performance, Norman Powell notched 30 points while James Harden contributed 23, leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a decisive 127-105 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.
Amir Coffey also delivered a strong showing for the Clippers, scoring 19 points and sinking five 3-pointers, while Derrick Jones Jr. added 15 points. Los Angeles displayed an impressive shooting percentage of 55.3% from the field, including a notable 51.4% from beyond the arc with 19 successful 3-pointers, marking a season-high in points for the team.
For the Trail Blazers, DeAndre Ayton was the top scorer with 16 points, while both Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija contributed 15 points each.
Both teams concluded with a 2-2 record in the NBA Cup West Group A, with neither managing to progress beyond the pool play stage.
**Takeaways**
For the Trail Blazers, defensive struggles remain a critical issue, as they have allowed at least 120 points in four of their last five contests. Throughout the season, they have managed to hold opponents under 100 points only once in 22 games.
On the other hand, Powell of the Clippers continues to shine as a key offensive player, enjoying the best season of his career. He started strong, scoring 14 points out of the Clippers’ first 24 and connecting on three 3-pointers right off the bat. His scoring average has seen a remarkable increase to 23.9 points per game, up from last season’s average of 13.9 points.
**Key Moment**
After battling back from an early double-digit deficit to narrow the gap to 72-70 with just over six minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Trail Blazers witnessed the Clippers shift gears. L.A. launched a formidable 34-10 scoring run, highlighted by successive 3-pointers from Powell, Harden, and Mo Bamba, which quickly turned the tide of the game.
**Key Stat**
James Harden’s scoring prowess has allowed him to surpass the legendary Paul Pierce, moving his career total to 26,399 points, securing him the 17th spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
**Next Up**
The Trail Blazers are set to welcome Utah on Friday, while the Clippers will host Minnesota on Wednesday, looking to build upon this successful outing.