Blazers cruise past Pacers with Haliburton struggling to score.©(@hornetshoops_ )
The Portland Trail Blazers spread their winsome streak to five games with a commanding 112-89 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night at the Moda Center. Led by Anfernee Simons with 22 points and Jerami Grant with 20, the Blazers took full advantage of the Pacers’ struggles, particularly on the offensive end.
The loss marked a setback for the Pacers, who had snapped a four-game losing streak before this matchup after winning 12 of their previous 14 games. Their record now stands at 28-21, while the surging Blazers improved to 22-29.
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Indiana’s scoring efforts were led by Andrew Nembhard, who contributed 17 points, while Pascal Siakam added 16. T.J. McConnell finished with 14 points, and Bennedict Mathurin chipped in 12. However, All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton had an uncharacteristically quiet night, failing to score a single point on three shot attempts in 25 minutes of action. The Pacers also struggled from beyond the arc, making only five of their 24 three-point attempts.
Among Portland’s standout performers, forward Toumani Camara played a pivotal role on both court ends. While Simons provided offensive firepower, Camara’s defensive intensity neutralized Haliburton entirely, limiting the star guard’s impact. Camara also made key contributions on offence, scoring 13 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting performance, including a three-pointer. He grabbed seven rebounds, recorded a block and a steal, and finished with a game-high plus-minus of +33 in 35 minutes.
The game’s turning point reached midway through the third quarter when Indiana had a chance to shift momentum. With 7:28 remaining, Myles Turner was fouled while attacking the rim, allowing the Pacers to tie the game at 53. However, Turner missed the first of two free throws, and although he brought the deficit down to one, the Blazers quickly seized control with an 11-0 run that ultimately turned into an 18-4 surge.
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In the fourth quarter, Indiana attempted to rally once more, cutting Portland’s lead to just six points with 8:43 remaining, but another decisive 9-0 run by the Blazers sealed the outcome. For the second straight game, the Pacers found themselves in a position where they had to battle back from behind but were ultimately unable to overcome their opponents’ dominance.
