NEW YORK -- Shaedon Sharpe scored 25 points and led the Portland Trail Blazers to their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 121-102 on February 28, 2025, at Barclays Center. The Blazers also saw notable performances from Dalano Banton, who scored 23 points, including 14 points during the final quarter, and Toumani Camara, finishing with 19 points.
Portland's offensive display was sharp, shooting 57.7% from the field and recording 32 assists throughout the game. The Blazers capitalized on their shooting opportunities, making 15 of their 36 attempts from three-point range (41.7%). Coach Chauncey Billups praised his team’s performance, stating, "Our defense was excellent all night," highlighting their successful strategy against the Nets.
The Blazers started well, leading 33-25 at the end of the first quarter, thanks largely to Sharpe's perfect shooting effort where he scored 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Despite Brooklyn cutting the deficit to nine points by the end of the third quarter, they never regained control of the game.
Cam Thomas made his long-awaited return for the Nets, scoring 16 points after missing 24 games due to a hamstring strain. Brooklyn struggled significantly, with the team allowing Portland to exploit defensive gaps consistently. Thomas, along with Nic Claxton and Killian Hayes, who each scored 16 points, could not steer the Nets to victory as they faced their third consecutive loss.
Portland quickly widened their lead to as much as 21 points early in the third quarter. A significant play occurred when Thomas found Claxton for an explosive alley-oop dunk, but the enthusiasm was short-lived as the Blazers responded with a solid run to cement their lead. Banton showcased his skills, capping off the game with some dominant plays.
Despite being out-rebounded 45-36, the Blazers’ offensive efficiency proved decisive. They also managed to make 10 of 20 from beyond the arc, creating open shots against the Nets who had difficulties defending the perimeter. The win not only granted Portland their fourth straight but also brought them closer to playoff contention.
Billups reflected on his team’s execution saying, “I liked it all... We spent most of the day just talking about how we would try to alleviate the pressure, and I thought our guys really, really executed.” The next fixture for the Blazers is against the Cleveland Cavaliers, continuing their seven-game road trip, aiming to extend their winning streak.
On the other hand, the Nets are scheduled to face the Detroit Pistons on the following night, needing to address their defensive woes and turnover issues, tallying 22 turnovers against Portland. This performance continues to put Brooklyn at risk of falling out of the playoff race as they sit two games behind the Bulls for the final play-in spot.
With this latest defeat, the Nets currently boast a record of 21-38. Coach Jordi Fernandez acknowledged the team's struggles, particularly with their recent lack of depth and injuries affecting their lineup, including the absence of D'Angelo Russell.
Overall, the Trail Blazers took command early, playing one of their most efficient shooting games of the season and proving to be resilient against the Nets’ offense. With the playoffs within reach, Portland’s momentum can be seen as they build off this performance as they head to Cleveland next.