Adams fires on return against Trail Blazers
Steven Adams caught the eye with a full-court ‘quarterback assist’ in a winning return to the Oklahoma City Thunder after a bruised knee.
The 26-year-old Kiwi, who missed the previous game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, was back in the Thunder lineup yesterday for the 119-106 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Adams contributed five points, nine rebounds and three assists, including a full-court, overhand quarterback-style effort, which to a two-pointer for guard Dennis Schroder in the final minute of the third quarter.
Chris Paul matched a season high with 30 points in the Thunder’s victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points and Dennis
Nerlens Noel each Oklahoma City.
Portland had just eight players available.
Schroder added 15 and for Portland’s Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver were not with the team, and coach Terry Stotts declined comment amid reports that the players were to be traded to Sacramento in exchange for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel and Caleb Swanigan.
Portland guard CJ McCollum was out with a sprained left ankle. He ranks second on the team, averaging 21.5 points.
Damian Lillard, who played despite dealing with an upper respiratory illness, led the Trail Blazers with 34 points. Gary Trent Jr. scored a careerhigh 30.
The Thunder led 64-57 at halftime behind 21 points from Paul. Lillard scored 24 to keep the Trail Blazers in it.
Oklahoma City pushed their lead to 87-77 after three quarters, and the Thunder cruised in the fourth.