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Trail Blazers squeak past Spurs on Champagnie's big three

ESPN General •
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In a tightly contested matchup on April 21, the Trail Blazers edged the Spurs in a low‑scoring affair that swung on a handful of clutch plays. Donovan Clingan contributed on both ends, pulling down a defensive rebound early and finishing a layup that lifted Portland’s margin. Stephon Castle’s missed layup kept the game within reach until the final minute today.

Julian Champagnie sparked the decisive surge, threading a pass to Castle before burying a 25‑foot three‑pointer that pushed the lead beyond a single point. A subsequent defensive rebound by Clingan limited San Antonio’s second‑chance opportunities, while Camara’s missed 24‑foot three kept the Spurs from closing the gap. Portland held firm on the boards throughout the closing minutes of the contest.

The narrow victory improves Portland’s win‑percentage, edging them higher in the Western conference standings as the regular season winds down. San Antonio, meanwhile, slips further from playoff contention, highlighting defensive lapses that have plagued recent outings. With both clubs eyeing postseason positioning, the result underscores the importance of execution in clutch moments for the teams' remaining schedule and fan expectations.