Blazers Down Hawks in Fast-Paced Contest

ATLANTA, Ga. — The Portland Trail Blazers snapped a four-game losing streak on Tuesday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 127-113 in a high-paced NBA matchup.

With Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson sidelined, the Blazers relied on Deni Avdija, Dalano Banton, and Shaedon Sharpe to drive the offense. The initial minutes were chaotic, marred by turnovers, with Portland committing 17 and Atlanta 20. However, Portland’s offensive rhythm improved as the game progressed.

Avdija notched a triple-double with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. “I just wanted to step up with the guys out,” Avdija said postgame. Sharpe contributed 33 points on 11-for-25 shooting. Their scoring opened lanes for other players, creating a more fluid Blazers offense.

Despite the sloppy start, the game featured plenty of transition play, with Portland scoring 28 points on the fast break compared to Atlanta’s 25. While both teams struggled to establish a consistent half-court offense, they managed to capitalize on fast-break opportunities.

Both teams had their challenges from beyond the arc. Portland allowed Atlanta to shoot 21.9% from three, going 7-for-32. However, the Hawks compensated by dominating the paint with 58 points. “We focused on protecting the paint, and it worked for us,” said Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.

One notable moment came in the first half when Billups challenged a foul called against Matisse Thybulle. After review, the call was overturned, giving possession back to Atlanta, who scored shortly after. “I thought it was a good poker move,” Billups reflected. “We’ve been in some tough spots this season.”

Portland’s advantage came from dominating on the boards, grabbing 19 offensive rebounds that contributed to 103 shot attempts, compared to Atlanta’s 92. With only seven games remaining, the Blazers are striving to improve their season record, sitting four games behind the Sacramento Kings for a play-in spot in the Western Conference.

Atlanta sits in a precarious position just above .500. They previously beat the Milwaukee Bucks, and head coach Quin Snyder is looking to solidify a play-in position as the season winds down.

The Blazers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at 4:30 PM Pacific. This victory against Atlanta might just spark a turn in their late-season fortunes.