PORTLAND, Ore. — De’Aaron Fox had 37 points and eight assists as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-102 Wednesday night in an NBA Cup group stage game.
Devin Vassell added 23 points for the Spurs, who kept their NBA Cup hopes alive.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 37 points and eight assists.
The Spurs shot 22 of 25 (88%) from the free throw line, while the Blazers shot 19 of 30 (63%). Portland also made just 25 percent of its attempts from behind the 3-point line, while San Antonio finished at 33 percent.
A Kelly Olynyk layup put San Antonio up 11 with 5:23 left before Portland rallied.
A 3-pointer from Toumani Camara cut the score to 107-99. After a replay, Olynyk fouled on a clear route, giving the Blazers two free throws and possession. But they failed to take advantage of the opportunity. After being nearly perfect at the line, Avdija missed both foul shots and Portland was left empty.
Avdija was 2 of 8 — including four straight misses — from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
A hook by Donovan Clingan pulled Portland within 107-101 with 3:59 left. Fox’s bank shot with 3:22 left made the score 109-101.
Fox was fouled with 2:52 remaining and made both free throws to put San Antonio ahead 111-101. Portland turned the ball over on the next possession.
After the Spurs trailed for most of the first half, a 3-point basket by Fox gave them a 56-54 halftime lead.
A key player for each team returned to action.
San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper returned from a calf injury when he entered midway through the first quarter after being out since Nov. 2. Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe made his first appearance since Nov. 18 with 3:43 left in the period.
Sharpe scored 11 points in 18 minutes and Harper scored seven in 16 minutes.
San Antonio visits Denver Friday night.
Portland hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon.
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