----- Lou Dort scored 23 points and Josh Giddey added 16 points and seven rebounds as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 96-93 Friday night at Moda Center.
Thunder topped Trail Blazers after Joe Cronin made his first trade after taking over the General Manager duties from Neil Olshey.
The Blazers and Thunder played a basketball game at Moda Center in Portland on Friday night, but it was the events of Friday morning that was the topic of discussion for the fans.
On Friday morning, the Portland Trail Blazers traded Norman Powell and Robert Covington to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, and a 2025 2nd round pick via the Detroit Pistons.
The Trade was made to get the Blazers under the luxury tax line and create space and playing time for Anfernee Simons moving forward. The Blazers are expected to make more moves ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
The trade left Portland (21-32) short-handed on Friday night with both Covington and Powell on their way to LA. CJ Elleby and Tony Snell joined CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons, and Jusuf Nurkic in the starting lineup.
As a result, the Blazers shot just 39.6% from the field including an ice-cold 6-for-33 from beyond-the-arc. Nurkic and McCollum shot a combined 15-of-43 from the field.
Simons finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists on 7-of-15 shooting. He missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied the game.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers play the second of a home back-to-back tomorrow night against the Milwaukee Bucks. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Let The Tank Begin!