The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz engaged in one of the strangest games in recent memory on Friday night, a game full of technical fouls, ejections, improbable shots, and a contest-defining blown call at the end. It was a tale of heart and perseverance, of mistakes and overcoming them, of injustice and almost—but not quite—redemption. Utah ended up winning 117-114 on a night when Portland played with a team of seven due to injuries and ejections. Damian Lillard scored 42 and CJ McCollum 27 in the loss.
The Blazers came out firing behind Lillard.