Blazers Drop 2nd Game In A Row, Fall to Indiana 106-100

The Pacers are preparing for a playoff run with a starting five that’s barely played together this season.

Domantas Sabonis had 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Indiana to a 106-100 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.

Malcolm Brogdon had 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds while T.J. Warren and Victor Oladipo scored 15 points each for the Pacers, who have won four of their last five. Oladipo was playing in his ninth game of the season.

“Tonight was about being consistent and really establishing ourselves, especially that first unit,” coach Nate McMillan said. “That group has only played about 100 minutes together this season. That’s about three games, so it was really about them working on an identity.”

CJ McCollum had 28 points and eight assists, Gary Trent Jr. scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half and finished with five rebounds, and Hassan Whiteside had 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who have lost five of six.

The Pacers were able to hold off the Blazers’ late push to snap a five-game losing streak in the series.