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Blazers hold off Jazz in Lopez's return

Craig Mitchelldyer / USA TODAY Sports

It was tougher than most predicted it would be, but the Portland Trail Blazers hung on for a 103-102 victory over the Utah Jazz to snap a three-game losing streak.

The Jazz ended the game on a 13-5 run after Wesley Matthews nailed a three-pointer to give Portland a 98-89 lead with 3:26 remaining. Trey Burke made a three to cut the lead to one with 0.4 seconds remaining, but after Damian Lillard missed his first free throw on the subsequent possession, the Blazers' point guard smartly missed the second free throw on purpose, allowing the final tenths of a second to run off the clock.

It was only the third win in the last 11 games for the Trail Blazers, who got starting center Robin Lopez back after a seven-week absence due to a broken hand.

Lopez, who logged 25 minutes of action in his return, finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks. He also left the game briefly after sustaining a facial laceration.

LaMarcus Aldridge recorded another double-double for the Blazers, pouring in 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Lillard added a team-high 25 points to go with six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

Lillard also did this.

Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 27 points for the Jazz, adding five rebounds and five assists.

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