----- CJ McCollum scores 25 points including the game-winner as the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the San Antonio Spurs 111-110 Sunday night at Moda Center.
Sunday night was the most exciting game of the season for the Blazers at Moda Center. CJ McCollum connected on the go-ahead jumper with 5.9 seconds remaining as the Trail Blazers held on for a 111-110 win over the San Antonio Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge was too strong on his jumper in the final moments and the Blazers were able to control the rebound as time expired.
With Damian Lillard sidelined due to a sore calf muscle, the Blazers had several players step up to make a contribution. McCollum scored a team-high 25 points and Jusuf Nurkic finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds including some strong defense in the paint against Aldridge and Pau Gasol.
Shabazz Napier continued his sensational play on the season by scoring 15 points and dishing out seven assists. Napier's play seemed to energize the team early with some nifty passing and play-making. Napier got the start for Terry Stotts in place of Lillard.
The Blazers also got a major contribution from their bench. Maurice Harkless scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting while both Pat Connaughton and Zach Collins each chipped in with nine points a piece. The Blazers did an excellent job protecting the basketball with only nine turnovers on the night.
Portland (21-18) shot 52.2% from the field including 8-for-23 from three-point range. The Blazers outscored the Spurs in the paint by a count of 64-42.
San Antonio (27-14) got a game-high 30 points from Aldridge and 26 points off the bench from Manu Ginobili. The Spurs shot 47.8% from three-point range on 11-for-23 shooting.
Next up- The Trail Blazers travel to Oklahoma City for the first of a four-game road trip on Tuesday against the Thunder. Game is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 PM.
Chad's take- Most entertaining game of the season by the Trail Blazers and it's not even close.