The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets, 132-116, at Moda Center on Sunday.

Portland needed a victory here to avoid a play-in game, winning this matchup in wire-to-wire fashion. A 43-22 first quarter really set the tone for the Trail Blazers, leading by at least 14 points for the final three quarters. Portland shot 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from three-point range while holding the Nuggets to 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from long range. In addition, Portland out-rebounded Denver, 51-36, while out-assisting them, 24-20.

The Nuggets (47-25) were led by Nikola Jokic, who finished with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes of action. Markus Howard led the bench with 23 points, four rebounds and three assists. Paul Millsap and JaMychal Green both reached double figures in scoring off the bench but no other player on the roster reached that threshold.

The Trail Blazers (42-30) were led by C.J. McCollum and his 24 points, two rebounds and five assists. Damian Lillard collected 22 points, three rebounds and 10 assists. Jusuf Nurkic generated 20 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Norman Powell had 19 points and three rebounds while Enes Kanter led the bench with 14 points and 15 rebounds.

These teams will actually face one another when the postseason begins next week.