Clippers vs Trail Blazers: Game 4 Score, Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Los Angeles Clippers still have home-court advantage in their first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers, but it feels like the latter is in control.

Portland evened the series at 2-2 on Monday with a 98-84 victory, but the Clippers lost more than an individual contest. Superstar point guard Chris Paul fractured the third metacarpal on his right hand, per Rowan Kavner of Clippers.com, and will likely be out for extended time.

Los Angeles had NBA title aspirations entering the playoffs, but those took a hit with Paul’s injury. Suddenly, beating the Trail Blazers in the first round appears to be a monumental task.

As for Monday’s game, Al-Farouq Aminu led the way for Portland with 30 points and 10 rebounds. ESPN Stats & Info noted the 30 points were a career high for Aminu, who picked an ideal time as his team seized the momentum in the series:

We’ve got ourselves a seriesBlazers defeat the Clippers, 98-84 to even the series at 2-2 #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/HxhYH7iCld

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 26, 2016

He wasn’t the only Trail Blazers player to notch a double-double, as Mason Plumlee grabbed 14 boards and dished out 10 assists from the center position. C.J. McCollum added 19 points, while Damian Lillard chipped in with 12 points, six assists and six rebounds.

Blake Griffin and Jeff Green each scored 17 points for Los Angeles.

The Trail Blazers controlled the first quarter and looked like a team that was fighting to avoid a 3-1 deficit on its home floor. However, Portland allowed the Clippers to close an early 20-12 deficit to 24-20 by the end of the quarter even though Paul was the only one consistently scoring. Paul scored 12 of his team’s 20 points in the opening 12 minutes.

Jason Quick of CSNNW.com realized things could have been worse for the Clippers:

A wild and wacky first quarter ends: Blazers 24, Clippers 20. All things considered, a victory for the Clippers.

— Jason Quick (@jwquick) April 26, 2016

The teams played an even second quarter, and Portland entered the locker room with a 47-43 lead at halftime. Joe Freeman of the Oregonian pointed out Los Angeles missed an opportunity to take the lead during a critical stretch:

Clippers had a chance to take first lead. But Jordan airballs 2 FTs, Aminu hits a 3, Dame has a driving dunk and Blazers now lead 42-36.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) April 26, 2016

Neither team was impressive from the field in the first half. Portland shot …

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