Bane's work on both ends helps Magic hold off Trail Blazers, 110-106

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 23 points, Anthony Black added 22 and the Orlando Magic turned away Portland's comeback attempt Tuesday night for a 110-106 victory over the Trail Blazers.

After trailing by 17 in the third quarter, the Blazers took a one-point lead early in the fourth before Tyus Jones answered with a 3-pointer and Wendell Carter Jr. hit a jumper for the Magic.

Shaedon Sharpe had a chance to tie it with 38.9 seconds left but made only one of two free throws, leaving Portland down 107-106.

Bane missed a pull-up jumper at the other end, then blocked a layup attempt by 7-foot-2 center Donovan Clingan with 12 seconds remaining to preserve the lead. Bane sank two free throws to make it 109-106 and Deni Avdija missed a long 3 for the Trail Blazers before Black added a foul shot for the final margin.

It was the second consecutive night the Blazers erased a big deficit in the second half only to fall short at home. They rallied from 21 down late in the third period Monday and went ahead by one in the fourth before Detroit closed with an 11-2 surge to win 110-102.

In addition to his offense, Bane provided three blocks and three steals. Black had seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Jones added 16 points and seven assists, while Carter finished with 14 points and seven boards.

Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Sharpe added 22 points and Caleb Love scored 17 off the bench.

Magic: Host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Trail Blazers: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday Dec. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, left, dribbles against the Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday Dec. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan wipes away his sweat during the second half of an NBA basketball against the Orlando Magic game Tuesday Dec. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) shoots the ball against Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday Dec. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane reacts to the made shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday Dec. 23, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Howard Lao)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 41 points and James Harden added 29 as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Houston Rockets 128-108 on Tuesday night.

Leonard shot 16 for 23 from the field and 4 for 5 from long distance as the Clippers won consecutive games for just the second time this season. Los Angeles was coming off a 103-88 win over the Lakers on Saturday that snapped a five-game skid. The Clippers also won consecutive games Oct. 24-26, against Phoenix and Portland.

Harden, who shot 7 for 14 from the field and 3 for 8 from long distance, was helped by 12-for-13 shooting from the line.

John Collins and Kobe Sanders added 13 points apiece and Kris Dunn scored 11 for Los Angeles, which shot 54% (20 for 37) from 3-point range.

Kevin Durant scored 22 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and Alperen Sengun finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, which was 9 for 30 (30%) from long distance.

Amen Thompson added 19 points for Houston, and Jabari Smith Jr. scored 16 for the Rockets, who have lost four of their last five games.

The Clippers, who trailed by six points after one period, outscored Houston 34-23 in the second and led 63-58 at the break. The Rockets were helped by 10-for-22 shooting from 3-point range in the first half. Leonard had 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the opening quarters and Harden scored 11.

Durant had 17 first-half points to lead the Rockets. Sengun scored 15 and Smith had 11.

The Clippers led 98-82 after three periods.

Rockets: At Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.

Clippers: At Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) looks to pass under defense by Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) reaches for a loose ball as Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Houston Rockets center Steven Adams, center, fights for position with Los Angeles Clippers center Brook Lopez, left, and guard James Harden during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)