LOS ANGELES — Anfernee Simons netted 25 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed 15 points along with 12 rebounds, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Clippers with a final score of 106-105 on Wednesday night.
Deni Avdija played a crucial role with 13 points and 10 rebounds, making a pivotal block against Norman Powell on a fast break with just 29 seconds left, which helped maintain Portland’s slim one-point advantage.
Scoot Henderson also made his mark by scoring 14 points, and Toumani Camara added 12 points for the Blazers, who were behind for the entirety of the fourth quarter until Simons executed a go-ahead layup at the 2:44 mark.
For the Clippers, Powell was outstanding with 30 points, while James Harden recorded 19 points alongside 10 assists. However, Los Angeles struggled offensively in the later stages, managing only one field goal and a mere three points in the last 3:30 of the match.
Key Takeaways:
For the Trail Blazers, Simons showcased his clutch performance by consistently stepping up in the fourth quarter. He first tied the game at 99 with a driving layup, then hit a three-pointer to even the score again at 102, finishing off with a decisive layup that gave Portland the lead for good.
On the other hand, the Clippers faced a tough finish, experiencing a scoring drought in the final moments. After briefly leading 102-99 thanks to Harden’s three-pointer with 3:35 left, they turned the ball over twice, had multiple shots blocked, and only managed to convert one out of four free-throw attempts, allowing Portland to seize the win.
Key Moment:
Ivica Zubac had a crucial opportunity with the Clippers trailing by one at 106-105 and 1:20 on the clock. Unfortunately, he missed both free throw attempts, and Los Angeles failed to get another shot off in the remaining time.
Key Stat:
Ayton’s impressive performance marked his fifth consecutive game this season in which he achieved a double-double.
Looking Ahead:
The Trail Blazers are set to take on the Thunder at home this Friday, while the Clippers will continue their five-game homestand against the Suns on Thursday.