Portland Trail BlazersOpen full analysis
Indiana PacersOpen full analysis
Portland defeated Indiana 127–119 on March 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, with Deni Avdija leading the way on 32 points and Donovan Clingan adding 28 in a road victory powered by three-point shooting. The Trail Blazers made 16 threes compared to Indiana's 12, and dominated the glass with 52 rebounds to 39, controlling both ends of the floor with a 122.8 offensive rating against the Pacers' 119.6. Portland's second quarter proved decisive—they outscored Indiana 42–29 in the period to seize control—though the Blazers cooled considerably in the fourth quarter with just 22 points. Indiana's Ivica Zubac and J. Slawson contributed 18 and 17 points respectively, but the Pacers' 50.5 field-goal percentage and 32 assists couldn't overcome Portland's rebounding edge and perimeter efficiency. The game finished below the Vegas total of 233.5 points, with neither team reaching the offensive ceiling oddsmakers projected. Portland's balanced scoring attack and rebounding dominance position them well in the playoff picture.
