Jerami Grant scored 21 points, and Robert Williams III added 19 as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-108 in the NBA Cup opener for both teams on Tuesday night.
Seven players scored in double figures for Portland, which made a season-high 18 three-pointers and ended a three-game losing streak.
Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each scored 17 points, Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson both added 14, and Dalano Banton chipped in 12.
Naz Reid came off the bench to lead Minnesota with a season-high 28 points. Anthony Edwards scored 26, Jaden McDaniels had 17, and Julius Randle scored 11.
After shooting poorly (4-of-42, 9.5%) from three-point range in a 134-89 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, the Blazers bounced back by shooting a season-high 56.2% (18 of 32) from beyond the arc against Minnesota.
Williams also grabbed nine rebounds, recorded three blocks, and had three steals. Portland took the lead at 12-10 in the first quarter and never trailed again. The two teams will meet again on Wednesday night, also in Portland.
Minnesota was down by 19 points at the start of the fourth quarter but managed to cut the lead to 105-94 with 5:38 left.
However, Portland responded by scoring the next eight points, securing the win and snapping a five-game losing streak against the Timberwolves.
Minnesota struggled early, committing more turnovers (seven) than field goals (six) in the first quarter and trailing 28-17 at the end of the period after Banton hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
Portland increased its lead to 14 points when Sharpe hit a three-pointer with 8:13 left in the second quarter and went into halftime with a 60-53 lead.
The Blazers shot 12 of 20 (60%) from beyond the arc in the first half and led 77-67 after Camara made a three-pointer with 6:37 left in the third quarter.
Portland’s hot shooting continued as Avdija hit another three-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter, and the Blazers led 93-74 heading into the final period.
Portland guard Anfernee Simons left the game in the first quarter with a chest injury and did not return. Rudy Gobert had nine points and eight rebounds for Minnesota, which committed 21 turnovers in the game.
