Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday highlighted his team’s collective effort after their 114-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday, March 31.
“I think everybody contributed. Kind of started off with Deni, which is Deni doing what he does. Getting to the paint, putting pressure on the rim, getting to the free throw line, and then when he does that, I mean, he just opens up wide open threes for everybody,” Holiday said.
Holiday, who finished with 30 points including seven 3-pointers, emphasized the importance of consistency in handling Clippers runs. “I just think I took the opportunities and I made the shots. I wouldn’t say that it was set up that way or whatever, but I think us being consistent and how we play the game and know where I’m going to get my shots and just playing off my teammates, it ended up working out.”
He also praised defensive contributions from teammates, singling out Donovan Clingan, Matisse Thybulle, and Kris Murray. “Clingan didn’t score probably the way he wanted to, but how big he was in the paint protecting the rim and then it’s hard to guard somebody like Brook Lopez when you’re in the paint. So, he did a great job with that rebounding the ball. Matisse, some great defense. And you know, and I got hot there, I think, in the second half. So, it was pretty good.”
Addressing the intensity of the game, Holiday noted, “Yeah, the intensity was there. I think we locked in from after the last game knowing that this game was going to be big for us. And then today and shooting around doing about the same where going over schemes and plays, really locking into those.”
Holiday also reflected on his matchup with Kawhi Leonard and guarding Darius Garland. “I did okay. Kawhi is good and obviously his pump fake is so realistic. He caught me on that pump fake I think in the first half. But the way that he plays is always fun and and I love matching up with him.”
Regarding Garland, he said, “He’s quick. He’s shifty. You can’t really guess on what he’s going to do and you can try to react to what he’s going to do, but he’s fast enough to go by you. So, it definitely takes a team effort. And then he can shoot the three ball. He has a floater. Definitely a three level scorer. So, honestly, he’s just really hard to guard.”
Holiday highlighted the role of faith and support systems in shaping his approach on and off the court. “Probably the biggest thing is my faith. You know what I mean? I think some people know about my story and know what I’ve been through with my family and everything, but I’m blessed to be here. Jesus Christ has definitely blessed me and my family to be in this position to have three brothers in the NBA. To have a beast and a badass of a wife and to have two healthy kids. So, just my faith I feel like has really got me to this point. And then really just pushing into that, having good people around me. I think I have a great community.”
Deni Avdija contributed 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Toumani Camara added 17 points and Scoot Henderson scored 15 for Portland. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 23 points. The win snapped Los Angeles’ five-game streak, leaving both teams neck-and-neck in the playoff race.
