Key Points:
- Kevin Durant surpassed Wilt Chamberlain to claim the seventh spot on the NBA’s career scoring list.
- The Trail Blazers erased a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to win their fifth game in a row.
- Toumani Camara set a new career scoring record with 25 points in the victory.
The Portland Trail Blazers staged a stunning fourth-quarter comeback on Friday night to defeat the Houston Rockets 111-105. This victory marked Portland’s fifth consecutive win as they continue a mid-season surge. The home team spoiled a historic evening for Kevin Durant despite his legendary performance on the court.
Early in the third quarter, Durant drained a three-pointer to achieve a massive career milestone. This shot moved him past Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Durant finished the contest with 30 points and 12 rebounds to further cement his basketball legacy.
The veteran forward entered the game needing 15 points to eclipse the Hall of Famer. He reached the mark with a signature jumper that silenced the Moda Center crowd temporarily. Fans later offered warm applause when the arena announcer shared the achievement. Durant now sets his sights on Dirk Nowitzki.
Houston appeared to be in total control for much of the night. They held a comfortable 90-77 advantage heading into the final period of play. However, Portland completely flipped the script with a dominant 34-15 scoring run in the fourth quarter to stun the visiting Rockets.
Toumani Camara led the charge for the Trail Blazers with a career-high 25 points. His energy on both ends of the floor fueled the Portland comeback. Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe each chipped in 20 points to support the balanced offensive attack. Portland showed incredible late-game poise.
The Rockets struggled significantly with their perimeter shooting during the closing minutes. They missed 16 of their 17 attempts from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter. This cold streak allowed Portland to erase the double-digit deficit and take the lead for good with three minutes left.
Portland’s defense tightened up during the most critical moments of the game. They held Houston to just six made field goals in the entire final period. This defensive effort secured the two-game series sweep for the Blazers. Houston has now lost two straight games in the Rose City.
Despite the loss, the Rockets dominated the rebounding battle for a second consecutive night. They grabbed 56 boards compared to Portland’s 43. However, the lack of shooting efficiency eventually doomed Houston. They finished the game shooting just 41.7 percent from the field as a team.
Portland now boasts seven wins in their last eight appearances. This victory moves them further up the Western Conference standings. The team’s chemistry looks better than ever as young players like Camara take on larger roles. Portland remains one of the hottest teams in the league right now.
