PORTLAND, Ore. — Guard Damian Lillard scored 21 points and handed out 10 assists despite sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Portland Trail Blazers rolled to a 99-85 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night at the Moda Center.
Guard CJ McCollum added 15 points and eight assists for the Blazers, who had six players score in double figures. Forward Meyers Leonard and guard Gerald Henderson scored 12 points apiece, guard Allen Crabbe had 11 and forward Al-Farouq Aminu scored 10.
Forward Gordon Hayward collected 19 points and nine assists, and guard Rodney Hood had 19 points for the Jazz, who lost for 11th time in 16 outings.
Henderson came off the bench to make three consecutive 3-pointers and score 10 points in the second quarter, lifting Portland to a 43-37 halftime edge.
The Blazers (17-24) outscored the Jazz 8-2 to start the third quarter to go on top 51-39. Lillard and Leonard propelled Portland to a 70-54 lead late in the quarter. Lillard finished with 13 points in the period, and the Blazers were ahead 77-62 going into the fourth quarter.
Portland extended the difference to 89-69 with seven minutes left, and it was over.
Utah (17-21) took an 8-3 lead as Portland missed 10 of its first 11 shots from the field. The Jazz settled for a 19-18 lead heading into the second quarter, the Blazers making only one of eight attempts from 3-point territory through the first 12 minutes.
The score was tied 28-28 midway through the second quarter, but Henderson hit back-to-back 3-pointers to key a 9-2 surge and push Portland ahead 37-30. Henderson knocked down another trey as the Blazers carried a six-point advantage into the half.
NOTES: F Derrick Favors (back) missed his 11th straight game, but Utah coach coach Quin Snyder said he is closer to returning. “A back is a tricky thing,” Snyder said. “We just want to be smart about him not coming back too soon and making sure he’s 100 percent healthy.” … C Rudy Gobert played his fourth game after missing 18 with a knee injury. “His competitiveness has been there,” Snyder said. “Sometimes when you come back from an injury, you’re a little tentative, and he hasn’t been that way at all.” … Portland coach Terry Stotts wore a scarf in honor of the city’s soccer team. “It’s Timbers Night,” Stotts said. “We’re celebrating the MLS championship team, and what better way?”