Nurkic, Trail Blazers turn back Cavaliers

PORTLAND, ORE. » The momentum that carried the Cavaliers to victory over the Lakers on Jan. 13 did not continue at Portland.

Jordan Clarkson had 22 points off the bench for the Cavs, but Jusuf Nurkic recorded a triple-double, and the Blazers won, 129-112, late Jan. 16.

The teams combined for only seven turnovers, the fewest in an NBA game since the league began to officially compile the stat in 1970-71. Portland had four and Cleveland finished with three.

The Blazers led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, but Cleveland closed the gap to 112102 midway through the fourth. It was as close as the Cavs could get.

Rodney Hood added 20 points for the Cavaliers.

“They’re just a well-oiled machine,” Hood said about the Blazers. “When I was playing with Utah I played against these guys four times a year. They know what they do. They know what they want to accomplish. They have probably the best scoring backcourt in the league.”

The Cavaliers have been stung by injuries this season. David Nwaba was considered a possibility to play, but he was held out for an 11th straight game with a left ankle sprain. Larry Nance Jr. missed his fourth game with a right knee sprain.

The game was the fourth of a six-game trip for the Cavs. Coach Larry Drew could see the fatigue.

“I just thought we kind of ran out of gas. The guys did a good job getting us back to within 10 but we just weren’t able to sustain it. When you get down and you have to fight back against a team like this it’s tough. On the road you can’t dig those types of holes. Not against a good team,” Drew said.

Nurkick was one of the main reasons the Cavs were in a hole. Less than a week of coming up just two assists shy of the feat, Nurkic got his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Nurkic said he wasn’t aware he was close until teammate Damian Lillard let him know.

“Dame was like, ‘one more,’ Nurkic said.

Lillard got the ball to Nurkic, who it passed back to Lillard, who knocked down a 3-pointer — giving Nurkic his final assist.

When told that Lillard celebrated along with the crowd afterward, Nurkic laughed: “He’s my teammate. My brother. He should.”

Lillard himself had 33 points to lead all scorers, and CJ McCollum had 19 points as Portland snapped a two-game losing streak. Nurkic added five blocks and was treated to a standing ovation when he left the game with 2:13 left.

Tip-ins

CAVALIERS » Cleveland signed guard Cameron Payne to a second 10-day contract late Jan. 15 . ... The victory over the Lakers was the Cavs’ fourth win on the road this season . ... Cleveland has won consecutive games once this season . ... Cleveland’s bench outscored Portland’s 66-35.

Up next

CAVALIERS » Cleveland visits the Jazz on Jan. 18.