Trail Blazers refuse to let victory over Indiana Pacers slip away, win 114-110

Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon scored on a short jumper in the lane to give the Blazers a 114-110 lead at the Indiana Pacers with 5.5 seconds to go and the Blazers held on to win by the same count a night after blowing a big lead at the Milwaukee Bucks.

Portland, playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road, made the plays necessary down the stretch to win at the Pacers after giving up a 26-point lead in the third quarter at the Bucks on Sunday to lose 108-102.

The difference in composure demonstrated from one night to the next impressed Blazers coach Chauncey Billups , for the most part.

“It was awesome,” Billups told reporters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “I thought we had a couple of times down the stretch where we didn’t show composure in this game, as well, that we got to talk about. But I think overall, we knew what we were gonna have to do to give ourselves a chance in this game, playing against a team that is so brilliant offensively like they are.”

Jerami Grant led the Blazers with 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting and added seven rebounds. He scored 17 points in the fourth quarter while constantly coming up with big scores to keep the Pacers at arm’s length.

Brogdon scored 24 points with seven assists. Deandre Ayton added 22 with 13 rebounds.

“We had some guys step up and be special,” Billups said. “Jeremy was and has been incredible for us. Malcolm and his presence. DA, he was a force the entire game.”

Billups said he went to Brogdon on the critical play with the game on the line because of his reliability in making the correct decision with the ball.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon (11) shoots in front of Indiana Pacers forward Bruce Brown (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) APAP

“There’s not a lot of guys on our team that have been in that moment, a ton,” Billups said. “Malcolm has. Jerami has. With the ball in their hands. So, for us to get it to a guy who’s been in that moment that if he gets fouled, he can make the free throws, and if not, he can go make the shot for you. So we did that. We were successful and Malcolm did a great job of using his body and his strength to get where he needed to be to make this shot.”

The Pacers, who were led with 33 points from Tyrese Haliburton, committed 20 turnovers and shot just 8 of 33 on threes (24.2 %). Portland took just 18 threes but made nine.

Holding the Pacers to 110 points was no easy task. The Pacers entered the night leading the NBA in points per game (128.8) and offensive rating (123.7).

“Not a lot of teams in the league can do what we did today,” Billups said. “Coming off of such an emotional loss last night, being up 26 and them coming back and winning that game last night. And then coming here and winning a game like this, I’m just so proud of my dudes.”

WHAT IT MEANS

The Blazers (5-12) earned their first victory this season over a team that currently has a winning record. The Blazers’ other four wins came against Toronto (8-9), Detroit (2-15), Memphis (3-13) and Utah (5-11).

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) looks to pass as he's defended by Indiana Pacers forward Jalen Smith (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) APAP

SCOOT HENDERSON’S SHOT FALLING

The rookie played just under 22 minutes and scored 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting while making two of three three-point attempts. He has now made five of his last seven threes after hitting on just two of his first first 24. For the season, Henderson is 7 of 31 (22.6%).

NEXT UP

The Blazers’ trip continues with a 4 p.m. game Thursday at the Cleveland Cavaliers (9-8).