In a 124-116 win during the Friday night NBA slate, the Portland Trail Blazers erased a 20-point deficit led by Anfernee Simons to defeat the Washington Wizards.
The Trail Blazers finally passed the Wizards in the fourth quarter after Simons made six of Portland’s nine three-pointers in the third. A total of 9 of 12 shots from beyond the arc were made by Simons.
Damian Lillard scored 29 points and continues to set the tone for the Trail Blazers, who have won five of their previous six games.
“Our team is just so much better when our backs are against the wall,” Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “I’ve been on teams like that before, so I understand it, but it’s a dangerous place to live.”
The Wizards were led by Bradley Beal’s 34 points and Kristaps Porzingis’ 32 points. In the first quarter, they led 15-2, and after a 3-pointer made by Porzingis, they led 34-14. In the first quarter, he scored 16 points. At halftime, Washington led Portland 69-51, but an advantage like that isn’t completely secure against a backcourt that can shoot threes with the best of them.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Washington Wizards Updates
Following Josh Hart’s layup to start the third quarter, the Trail Blazers hit nine long-range field goals. After Simons made five, Lillard and Jerami Grant both made a couple. Simons added another three to cut the deficit to 88-81.
“We ran plays for him. We started off the third quarter kind of running his play,” Billups said. “He came off and got a couple looks, and then I thought Dame and Josh and those guys, they all just did a really good job of continuing to keep the ball in his hands.”
Shaedon Sharpe’s 3 tied it at 99 after three for Portland after it was 94-90 after three. Hart’s three-pointer gave the Trail Blazers their first lead (102-101). Despite being up by two, Portland broke the game open with a 13-4 run. Simons’ dunk with 1:25 remaining put the game at 120-111.
NBA SCORES & NEWS: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Washington Wizards Updates
Due to a left calf strain, Portland played without center Jusuf Nurkic. It is expected that he will return after the All-Star break.
