In an overtime thriller, the Portland Trail Blazers won 128-118 over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night, thanks to a stellar performance from DeAndre Ayton who returned from a right-hand contusion. Ayton’s season-high 30 points and 19 rebounds proved crucial in a three-game losing streak for the Blazers (18-45).
While Dalano Banton and Anfernee Simons played a significant role in Portland’s victory, contributing 25 and 23 points respectively. The team had reversed the game they lost to Houston the night before. The Raptors (23-41), then, dropped their fourth defeat in the last five matches. Immanuel Quickley had a good game with 29 points. Also, Gary Trent Jr. added 23 points.
Ayton’s Heroic Dunk Sets the Stage as Portland Trail Blazers Secures Overtime Victory
Towards the end of regular playing time, Quickley’s layup drew the game to its climax, which left the final score at 111-109. Also, Matisse Thybulle’s layup for Portland and Chris Boucher’s free throws for Toronto fired up what would have been a cliffhanger. A jump ball saw the two teams turning up their offense, which ended with Boucher’s game-tying layup with 0.7 seconds left, forcing the game into overtime.
Ayton, having the guts, runs to the opening of the extra period and dunks, making the tone noisy for Portland’s dominance. Simons’ three-pointer extended the lead to 17. After that, the Raptors could not recover.
“I just have been watching these dudes play. We have been trending, playing some good basketball, and competing,” Ayton said while reflecting on his progress. “I only wanted to make sure that my wheels were working and I could keep up with my team,” he said.
Portland Trail Blazers Weather the Storm: Ayton and Henderson Lead Comeback After Injuries
Game of Return, Ayton and the rookie Henderson displayed the way to come back strong in the game after their long absences. The Blazers benefited from both Ayton’s five-game absence on account of a hand sprain and Henderson’s eight-game recovery from an adductor injury to take a new lease of life also.
Lacking the presence of Jerami Grant, Jabari Walker, and Malcolm Brogdon, the Blazers exhibited their grit by slowly starting the game with a magnificent 22-8 lead in the first quarter and enhancing it further in the second quarter, to 38-18. Also, Ayton’s 14 points and 10-rebound performance was the main catalyst of Portland’s success at the end of the second quarter. Which saw the hosts gain a commanding 63-46 lead.
However, the Blazers’ performance during the third quarter became more difficult because of a gradual decline in their wide lead. Head coach Chauncey Billups in his turn admitted, “We believed in our success in the third quarter. And what was the result? The game was not over. This is the NBA; nothing is a given. She summarized with a lesson well-learned: “it was a good lesson for us.”
Upcoming Games
The Raptors will be the guests at the Denver Nuggets on Monday evening. The Blazers are scheduled to welcome the Boston Celtics to their court in their upcoming games.
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