Given the opportunity to become a starter, the 6-foot-4 guard of 10 seasons has helped the Clippers to fifth place in the West with a breakout effort.

Norman Powell scored 23 points, James Harden had 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 118-89 on Thursday night. The Clippers routed Portland a night after beating Brooklyn at home by a franchise-record 59 points.

Norman Powell scores 23 points and James Harden finishes with 19 points to lead the Clippers to a dominant, 118-89 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

The road from now until the All-Star break in four weeks is treacherous. The Blazers conclude their home stand with Houston (27-13) on Saturday night, followed by a Sunday game against the Chicago Bulls (18-23).

The Portland Trail Blazers fell behind by double digits in the first quarter and never challenged during a 118-89 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thurs

Portland looks to stop its three-game slide when the Portland Trail Blazers play Los Angeles. Thursday's matchup is the first this season between the two teams.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (24) tries to get around the defense of Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane) AP AP

Norman Powell scored 23 points to help the Los Angeles Clippers complete a perfect back-to-back set with a convincing 118-89 win over the host Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA on Thursday

McDaniels is just 24 years-old, so the Wolves would be giving up some years in this trade swapping him for Powell (31 years-old). However, Powell is averaging 23.7 points on 47% shooting in Los ...

Portland Trail Blazers (13-25, 13th in the Western Conference) Portland, Oregon; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE ... Rockets with 26 points in 125-103 victory over Trail Blazers Norman Powell scores 23 points to help the Clippers beat the Trail Blazers ...

Police on Sunday responded to an alarm call at Sacramento Elementary School, in Northeast Portland, and arrested a man who said he had been turned away from shelters and people’s homes amid the city’s cold snap. The man allegedly told police he broke a school window to get inside to stay warm, according to court records.

The Clippers might not have some of their best players for this game, including James Harden. Harden is listed questionable with right groin soreness. The Clippers have quite a few players who could miss this game due to soreness. If they do, the Celtics absolutely have to win this game. They have to take advantage when other teams are injured.