Blazers fend off Spurs, but both eliminated from playoff race

Toumani Camara poured in 23 points and took 10 rebounds as the host Portland Trail Blazers did just enough to beat the San Antonio Spurs 120-109 on Sunday.

Following the Sacramento Kings' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, both the Trail Blazers and Spurs were eliminated from playoff contention.

Shaedon Sharpe added 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for the Blazers. Dalano Banton had 20 points and six assists, Kris Murray scored 18 points off the bench and Jabari Walker and Donovan Clingan hit for 10 points apiece.

The Trail Blazers played without six key players, including leading scorer Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson, because of injuries.

Portland led 86-75 entering the fourth quarter but the Spurs rallied, closing to within two points on three separate occasions, the final one after a three-point play by Chris Paul with two minutes remaining. Camara answered with a 3-pointer, Murray had a jumper and Sharpe canned two free throws to build the Trail Blazers' lead to nine points, and they were able to hold on over the final minute.

Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 22 points, with Devin Vassell adding 21, Harrison Barnes and Malaki Branham scoring 17 apiece and Bismack Biyombo contributing 10 points.

The Trail Blazers were up 33-18 after 12 minutes of play.

Sharpe's layup to open the second quarter stoked the margin to 17 points. San Antonio closed to within a bucket when Julian Champagnie canned a running 3-pointer with 1:57 left in the half, but Portland responded by scoring eight of the ensuing nine points to carry a 54-45 lead into the break.

Banton led all scorers with 14 points before halftime as the makeshift Trail Blazers' lineup led despite shooting just 42.6 percent from the floor. Castle and Vassell each scored 10 points to pace the Spurs.

Portland rebuilt its lead to 17 points after Banton hit a trey at the 8:07 mark of the third quarter.

--Field Level Media