A pair of 20-point performance by Nicolas Batum and Damon Lillard behind strong three-point shooting led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 120-114 win over the Utah Jazz in the closest of six preseason games on the night.
Monday’s NBA preseason scores: Batum, Lillard lead Blazers
A 100-94 win by the Portland Trail Blazers over the Utah Jazz led by Nicolas Batum highlighted six preseason games on a Monday night.
Steve Dykes-US PRESSWIRE
Batum drilled five-of-eight from downtown to finish with 27, while the rookie Lillard hit three-of-four to finish with 21. The Jazz made the game close by putting up 41 points in the last quarter, led by 18 on perfect 7-for-7 shooting by Enes Kanter, but they still lost by six.
The Philadelphia 76ers had 23 and 22 points respectively from Jason Richardson and Thaddeus Young in a game they led by 18 at the half over the New York Knicks. Jason Kidd drilled five threes to make it close and Carmelo Anthony tied Kidd's scoring output with 23, but needed 23 shots to do so, as the Sixers won 98-90 in a matchup held in Syracuse's Carrier Dome.
The New Orleans Hornets lost 87-74 to the Dallas Mavericks, but more disconcerting was an injury to Austin Rivers, who left the game with a sprained right ankle. Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman sat for Dallas, leaving O.J. Mayo to lead the team with 13 points, while Anthony Davis had more rebounds than any player on either team had points, finishing with six points and 17 boards.
Elsewhere, the Toronto Raptors beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-95 despite 26 points from Monta Ellis, Jared Dudley had 25 as the Phoenix Suns beat the Sacramento Kings 103-88, and DeAndre Jordan's 18 points and 12 rebounds led the Los Angeles Clippers past the Golden State Warriors, 88-71.
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