PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Portland Trail Blazers found themselves down 13 points at halftime and could not climb all the way back in a 110-106 home loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at the Moda Center.
Portland took its only lead of the night midway through the fourth quarter when Caleb Love hit a mid-range jumper, followed by Shaedon Sharpe with another mid-range make on the team’s next trip down the floor to go up 92-91.
That edge lasted less time than it would take to heat a hot dog in the microwave, as Tyus Jones sank a 3-pointer for Orlando to put the Magic in front to stay.
Sharpe hit 1-of-2 at the free-throw line to pull the Blazers to within a point with 38.9 seconds to play.
But that proved to be Portland’s final point, as a blocked shot, a turnover and a pair of missed 3-pointers thwarted any thoughts of a comeback.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 23 points, while Deni Avdija paced the Blazers with 25 points.
Portland (12-18) is at home against at 7 p.m. Friday against the LA Clippers.