The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 126-124 at the Moda Center on Thursday night thanks to a basket by guard Anfernee Simons as the clock ran down.
The Blazers were in danger of losing a 17-point advantage in the fourth quarter prior to Simons’ heroics.
The Nuggets cut Portland’s advantage to 106-103 with a 16-2 run to start the third quarter. That’s what Denver did, frighteningly, with Nikola Jokic on the bench.
The Blazers had a nine-point lead again, but the Nuggets rallied and Jamal Murray’s three-pointer with 1:24 remaining leveled the score at 120-120.
Russell Westbrook stopped Simons’ shot during a drive on Portland’s subsequent possession. With 59 seconds left, Denver had a 122-120 lead thanks to a fast-break dunk by Michael Porter Jr.
In response, Simons made both of his free throws and drew a foul on Jokic, bringing the score to 122-122.
Jokic was penalized for a loose ball foul on Shaedon Sharpe after Denver missed a few jumpers at the other end.
Someone somebody explain this play to Jokic.He pretended to leap at Simons.This link: https://t.co/VWlJOgP2BC
Sharpe gave the Blazers a 124-122 lead with both of his free shots.
With 16.8 seconds remaining on the clock, Jokic received the ball in the paint on Denver’s subsequent possession and forced his way past Deni Avdija to score a layup.
As a result, Simons won the game.
Coach Chancey Billups of the Blazers remarked, “I told Ant, just get in there and make a play.”
With 1:51 left in the first half, the Blazers led 66-56 after a late run in the second quarter. With a 10-0 run to end the second quarter, Denver led 66-66 at the break.
Simons’ step-back three at the third-quarter buzzer and rookie center Donovan Clingan’s corner three gave the Blazers a 104-87 lead after the Blazers had led by 12 late in the third quarter.
The Blazers took control of the game after winning the third quarter 38–21. During the quarter, Portland made 6 of 12 three-point attempts.
With 28 points, Simons led the Blazers. Sharpe received a score of 27.
Jokic scored 34 points and dished out eight assists to lead the Nuggets.
In the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, December 19, 2024, Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, middle, and center Nikola Jokic. (Craig Mitchelldyer/AP Photo) APAP
IMPORTANCE OF IT
By breaking the Nuggets’ (14-11) three-game winning streak, the Blazers (9-18) ended a six-game losing streak.
The Fall of Simons
During the third quarter, Simons had a terrible tumble. In transition, he drove to the hoop and slipped. Simons stumbled backwards as his left foot seemed to slide along the court. He went away on his own initiative without bumping his head on the court. When play restarted after a timeout, he went back to the game.
BANTON OUT
After falling to the ground during Sunday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, Blazers guard Dalano Banton suffered a contusion to his left hip, which forced him to miss the game.
UPCOMING
The Blazers visit the San Antonio Spurs (14–13) on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
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Aaron J. Fentress | [email protected]|@AaronJFentress (Facebook), @AaronFentress (Instagram), and @AaronJFentress (Twitter)
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