Blazers Torch Sixers with Relentless Energy and Career Night from Camara
The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t just beat the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night - they overwhelmed them. The 135-118 final score tells part of the story, but the real headline was the way Portland played: fast, fearless, and flat-out fun. This was 48 minutes of high-octane basketball, with the Blazers punishing every lazy pass and slow defensive rotation Philly offered up.
From the opening tip, Portland came out flying. The pace was fast, the ball was moving, and the shots were falling.
They jumped out to a seven-point lead in the first quarter, looking every bit like a team ready to run the Sixers out of the gym. But Philly adjusted, switching to a man-to-man defense that threw a wrench in the Blazers’ rhythm.
Portland coughed up five turnovers in the quarter, and the Sixers took advantage, flipping the script to take a 31-29 lead into the second.
Then came the back-and-forth. The Sixers built an eight-point cushion in the second quarter, but the Blazers didn’t flinch.
Despite finishing the half with 11 turnovers, Portland clawed their way back to within one, trailing just 65-64 at halftime. Not a bad spot considering how loose they’d been with the ball.
But the third quarter? That’s where the Blazers blew the doors off.
Portland came out of the locker room with a renewed focus and cleaned up the turnovers - and once that happened, the floodgates opened. Toumani Camara caught fire, Deni Avdija brought the energy, and the Blazers delivered a 12-minute clinic in pace and execution.
They outscored Philadelphia 49-22 in the third, turning a tight game into a 26-point blowout heading into the fourth. It was a relentless, high-speed barrage that left the Sixers scrambling for answers they never found.
The fourth quarter was all about maintaining control, and the Blazers did just that. No late-game drama, no let-up - just a confident finish to a dominant win.
By the Numbers
Portland shot 48.5% from the field and a sharp 40.7% from three, but their work on the glass might’ve been even more impressive. They pulled down 20 offensive rebounds - a number that speaks volumes about their hustle and effort.
And after those early turnover issues, they locked in, giving the ball away just four times in the entire second half. That’s the kind of in-game growth that coaches love to see.
Player of the Night: Toumani Camara
Camara didn’t just have a career night - he had the kind of performance that makes you sit up and take notice. The third-year forward poured in 30 points on a scorching 83.3% shooting, including 8-of-10 from beyond the arc. Every time Portland needed a bucket, Camara delivered, often from deep and always in rhythm.
And it wasn’t just offense. Camara spent much of the night guarding Tyrese Maxey - no easy task.
Maxey still got his 30 points, but it took him significantly more work to get there. He needed eight more shot attempts and four more free throws than Camara, and he was held to just 22.2% shooting from three.
Camara made him earn every bucket.
Stat of the Night: Second-Chance Points
Portland dominated this category, outscoring Philadelphia 30-16 in second-chance opportunities. That stat alone tells you a lot about how this game was played.
The Blazers were quicker to loose balls, more aggressive on the boards, and flat-out hungrier. It was a full-team effort, but the energy was contagious - and consistent.
What Stood Out
This looked like the Blazers team fans fell in love with early in the season - the one that played with pace, pressure, and purpose. The full-court defense was back.
The transition game was humming. There were alley-oops, blocked shots, and a whole lot of swagger.
Sure, the first-half turnovers were frustrating, but the second-half response was everything you want to see from a young, growing squad.
That third quarter, in particular, was electric. It wasn’t just a hot shooting stretch - it was a statement. If this is the version of the Blazers that shows up consistently, Rip City’s got something to be excited about.
What’s Next
Portland now heads out for a two-game road trip. First up is a Wednesday night matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves, followed by a Thursday clash in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. Then it’s time for the All-Star break - but if the Blazers keep playing like this, they’ll be heading into it with a serious head of steam.