In a game that transformed into a spectacular point guard duel, De’Aaron Fox and the San Antonio Spurs kept their NBA Cup hopes pulsating with a 115-102 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. While both floor generals finished with 37 points and eight assists, it was Fox’s Spurs who executed with greater precision down the stretch to secure the crucial group-stage win.

Fox’s backcourt mate, Devin Vassell, provided critical support with 23 points, but the night belonged to the two lead guards trading blows. For Portland, Deni Avdija matched Fox’s output point for point, but his team’s overall inefficiency proved too much to overcome.

The disparity at the charity stripe told a significant part of the story. San Antonio operated with clinical precision, sinking 22 of 25 free throws (88%). Portland, conversely, left a small fortune unclaimed at the line, going a dismal 19 for 30 (63%). Avdija’s struggles were particularly acute in the final frame, where he was 2 for 8—including four consecutive misses—from the line. From behind the arc, the Blazers managed only a 25% conversion rate compared to the Spurs’ 33%.

Portland’s fight-back in the fourth quarter set the stage for a dramatic finish. After a Toumani Camara three-pointer cut the deficit to 107-99, a replay review awarded the Blazers a clear-path foul on Kelly Olynyk, granting them two free throws and possession. The opportunity to slice the lead to a single possession was there for the taking. But they failed to take advantage of the opportunity. After being nearly perfect at the line, Avdija missed both foul shots and Portland came up empty.

Donovan Clingan’s hook shot moments later brought Portland within six at 107-101, but Fox calmly answered with a bank shot and subsequent free throws to restore a double-digit cushion and effectively seal the game.

The contest also featured welcome returns for both sides. San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper, sidelined since Nov. 2 with a calf injury, checked in midway through the first quarter and contributed seven points in 16 minutes. For Portland, Shaedon Sharpe made his first appearance since Nov. 18, adding 11 points in 18 minutes of action.

The Spurs, who trailed for much of the first half, seized momentum just before the break on a Fox three-pointer that gave them a narrow 56-54 lead at halftime—an advantage they would not relinquish.

San Antonio now turns its attention to a formidable Friday night test on the road against the Denver Nuggets. Portland will look to regroup when it hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon.