NBA: Jrue Holiday's big night boosts Blazers in win over Jazz

Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 31 points, adding nine rebounds and seven assists to guide the Portland Trail Blazers to a 135-119 victory over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night in Salt Lake City.

Donovan Clingan contributed 23 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists as Portland won for the fourth time in five games. Jerami Grant added 18 points, Scoot Henderson scored 15 off the bench, and Toumani Camara chipped in 14 points.

For Utah, Brice Sensabaugh scored 28 points, including five 3-pointers, but the Jazz have now lost 13 of their last 17 games. Kyle Filipowski recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, and a career-best six steals, while Ace Bailey had 15 points and eight boards. Isaiah Collier added 15 points, nine assists, and three steals before fouling out, and Svi Mykhailiuk scored 14 points. Utah is 0-3 against Portland this season.

Both teams were playing their final game before the All-Star break. Utah was without Jaren Jackson Jr., who will undergo season-ending knee surgery. Keyonte George (ankle) missed his sixth game in seven, while Lauri Markkanen was rested. Portland rested All-Star Deni Avdija (back) for the 10th time in 16 games, and Shaedon Sharpe (calf) sat out for the fourth straight contest.

Portland shot 51.1% from the field and 39.1% from three, hitting 18 of 46 attempts. Backups Vit Krejci and Caleb Love each scored 11 points, helping the Trail Blazers secure a 52-38 rebounding edge. Utah made 48.3% of its shots, including 14 of 38 from long range.

After a tight first half, with Utah leading 63-61, Holiday had 16 points for Portland. Early in the third, Filipowski’s basket started a 14-0 Trail Blazers run, capped by Clingan’s free throws to give Portland a 75-65 lead. Holiday extended the lead to 85-71 with free throws in the third quarter, and Krejci and Love’s 3-pointers pushed the advantage to 95-78.

Entering the final quarter with a 101-86 lead, Portland saw Utah rally to 111-108 after a Blake Hinson 3-pointer. The Trail Blazers then went on an 11-2 run, with Holiday’s layup giving them a 12-point cushion. Sensabaugh’s trey brought the Jazz within 122-115, but Portland finished strong with a 13-1 run to seal the win.

-Field Level Media/Reuters