Trail Blazers edge Jazz 136-134 with Jrue Holiday clutch free throws

The Portland Trail Blazers narrowly defeated the Utah Jazz 136-134 in a thrilling game marked by a significant late comeback attempt from Utah. Jrue Holiday led the Blazers with 27 points and eight assists, notably sinking four crucial free throws in the final seconds to secure the win. Despite holding a 22-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Portland struggled in the final minutes as Utah mounted a furious rally, cutting the deficit to just one point before Holiday's clutch free throws sealed the outcome. Key contributors for Portland included Deni Avdija with 19 points and nine rebounds, Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant with 18 points each, and a strong bench performance from Duop Reath. Utah's Lauri Markkanen scored a game-high 32 points, while Keyonte George added 29 points and eight assists, with Walker Kessler recording a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds. The Blazers improved to a 3-2 record, maintaining momentum despite coaching turmoil, while the Jazz suffered their first home loss of the season.