NBA: Clippers claim another easy win, blast Trail Blazers

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell, left, and guard Amir Coffey, center, laugh while sitting on the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Portland, Oregon.  (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Norman Powell scored 23 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers complete a perfect back-to-back set with a convincing 118-89 win over the host Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA on Thursday night.

James Harden added 19 points and six assists for Los Angeles before being rested for the entire fourth quarter for the second game in a row.

READ: NBA: Clippers put record 59-point beat-down on Nets

Dalano Banton had 23 points in 25 minutes off the bench for the Blazers, while Scoot Henderson compiled 16 points and six assists.

Coming off a franchise-record 59-point win over Brooklyn on Wednesday, the Clippers were never threatened as they notched their second blowout victory in as many days.

Los Angeles won the rebounding battle 50-37 and shot 56.4 percent, including 43.5 percent from 3-point range, to Portland’s 37.4 percent and 26.5 percent, respectively.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) tries to get around the defense of Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard was rested to continue the ongoing management of his right knee.

Los Angeles’ only real concern came midway through the fourth quarter when Kevin Porter Jr. walked gingerly off the court after hurting his lower back in a collision with Banton.

Harden scored 12 first-quarter points as Los Angeles knocked down 12 of 18 shots for the period to lead 32-22 before moving to a 47-26 advantage on the back of a 24-6 run.

Henderson, coming off a career-high 39-point effort against the Nets on Tuesday, momentarily ended the rot for the Blazers, who sharpened up defensively to trim the Clippers’ advantage to 52-38 at halftime.

Los Angeles burst out of the blocks to start the third frame, using a 13-2 spree to motor ahead 65-40.

Banton and Kris Murray piloted a 13-2 Portland revival over the last 2:37 of the quarter to reduce the Clippers’ cushion to 86-66 going into the fourth.

Powell was active early in the final frame as Los Angeles dominated again, blowing the margin out to a game-high 34 points in the dying minutes. –Field Level Media