The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the LA Clippers 114-104 on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Intuit Dome, using a dominant second quarter to take control. Jrue Holiday led all scorers with 30 points, while Deni Avdija added an all-around performance that helped Portland improve to 39-38.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
Portland opened with a sharp offensive start and carried a 34-31 lead after one. The Trail Blazers generated early looks from the perimeter and matched that with steady work on the glass, giving themselves a small edge despite the Clippers staying within one possession for most of the period.
Second Quarter
The game turned in the second. Portland outscored LA 28-15 in the quarter and built a 62-46 halftime lead. The Clippers struggled to string together efficient possessions, while the Trail Blazers continued to create extra chances with rebounding and balanced shot volume. That 13-point swing gave Portland clear control heading into the break.
Third Quarter
LA showed more rhythm offensively in the third, but Portland answered each push and edged the period 29-28. Holiday continued to carry the scoring load, and Avdija’s playmaking kept the Trail Blazers organized. By the end of the quarter, Portland still held a 91-74 advantage and remained in front of the tempo battle.
Fourth Quarter
The Clippers made a late push with a 30-23 fourth quarter, but the deficit created earlier was too much to erase. Kawhi Leonard helped lead the comeback effort, yet Portland stayed composed at the free-throw line and did enough defensively to close out a 10-point road win.
Key Performers
Portland Trail Blazers
Jrue Holiday led all scorers with 30 points and set the tone offensively throughout the night. Deni Avdija delivered one of the game’s most complete stat lines with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Portland also finished with a 48-30 rebounding advantage and 22 assists as a team.
LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard paced LA with 23 points and 8 rebounds. Darius Garland led the Clippers in assists with 4, but LA never fully recovered from its quiet second quarter. The Clippers shot a solid 50.0 percent from the field, though they were limited by fewer possessions, fewer rebounds, and a lower volume of three-point makes.
NerdSports Stat: Portland attempted 15 more shots and grabbed 18 more rebounds than the Clippers, a possession gap large enough to overcome LA’s better overall field-goal percentage.
Game Analysis
This result came down to possession control and second-quarter execution. Portland shot 45.1 percent from the field compared with the Clippers’ 50.0 percent, but the Trail Blazers attempted 91 shots to LA’s 76 and knocked down 15 three-pointers to the Clippers’ 10. That combination gave the visitors enough scoring volume to stay in front.
The rebounding margin stood out most. Portland’s 48 rebounds compared to LA’s 30 consistently extended possessions and limited the Clippers’ transition opportunities. The Trail Blazers also took care of key late-game details by going 17-for-18 at the foul line, good for 94.4 percent.
For the Clippers, the biggest issue was the second quarter lull. Scoring only 15 points in a game they ultimately lost by 10 left little room for error, even with a stronger finish. Leonard’s efficiency and the team’s solid shooting numbers gave LA a chance to rally, but Portland’s deeper statistical edges held up over 48 minutes.
Closing Context
With the win, Portland moved to 39-38 and stayed firmly in the late-season Western Conference race. The Clippers dropped to 39-37, making this result especially significant as both teams continue to battle for postseason positioning. For Portland, a road win over a direct conference opponent could carry added weight in the final stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Portland Trail Blazers defeated LA Clippers 114-104 on March 31, 2026.
Jrue Holiday scored 30 points on 45.1% shooting.
After the win, Portland Trail Blazers sits 39-38 in the Western Conference.
Deni Avdija was the standout performer with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.
