----- Jusuf Nurkic scores 19 points and grabs a season-high 17 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Indiana Pacers 100-86 Thursday night at Moda Center.
The Bosnian Beast returned to Moda Center on Thursday night and powered the Blazers to an impressive 100-86 over the Indiana Pacers.
With Domantas Sabonis in the lineup replacing the injured Myles Turner, the Pacers did not have the size to deal with Nurkic and he took advantage of the opportunity. Nurkic recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds in the first half and caused havoc on both ends of the floor all night. Nurkic finished the night with 19 points and a season-high 17 rebounds. The dominant performance from Nurkic was a welcome sight after getting benched in the second quarter during Monday night's win against the Suns for poor play.
The Trail Blazers took control of the game at the end of the third quarter on a Shabazz Napier steal and three-pointer at the buzzer that tied the game at 74-74 heading into the fourth quarter. The Blazers opened the final quarter on an 8-0 run and tightened up their defense to pull away from the Pacers. Portland outscored Indiana 26-12 in the fourth to secure their fifth-straight home win.
Damian Lillard led Portland (24-21) with 26 points and dished out 8 assists and Napier added 13 points and four rebounds off the bench.
Indiana (24-21) got 23 points from both Victor Oladipo and Darren Collison, but the Pacers connected on just 39.6% of their shots including 7-for-26 from downtown.
Next up- The Trail Blazers will get Friday off before hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's take- If I was replaced by Meyers Leonard, I would drop 20 and 20 too. We need more of the Bosnian Beast.