Norman Powell Makes Debut, Blazers Trick Magic

----- Norman Powell scored 22 points in his Trail Blazers debut and CJ McCollum finished with 22 points and seven assists as the Portland Trail Blazers topped the Orlando Magic 112-105 without Damian Lillard Friday night at Amway Center in Orlando.

"Stormin'" Norman!

Norman Powell made his Trail Blazers debut Friday in Orlando and helped lead the Trail Blazers to a 112-105 victory over the Magic.

The Trail Blazers are now 14-6 in back-to-back sets of games and improved to 13-9 on the road this season.

Powell scored 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Powell got the start and played 35 minutes next to CJ McCollum with Damian Lillard getting the night off due to a left knee contusion.

''This is what I expected (from Powell) because he knows how to play the game, he plays the way we play, he moves well without the ball, shoots 3s, he's in shape and he defends,'' Portland coach Terry Stotts said. ''I wouldn't have said he was going to score 22, but I really had a feeling that he was going to play well for us.''

McCollum finished with 22 points and seven assists.

Jusuf Nurkic made his return to the Blazers' lineup after missing 32-games with a wrist and calf injury, he scored eight points and pulled down eight rebounds in 18 minutes of action.

With Nurkic back, Enes Kanter returned to his role off the bench. He finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

James Ennis tied the game at 94 with 6:31 to play on a three-pointer but Portland scored the next seven-points to take control of the game.

Up Next- The Trail Blazers meet the Toronto Raptors Sunday in Tampa, Florida. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:00 PM.

Chad's Take- Norman Powell with a solid Trail Blazers debut.


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