HOUSTON — Anfernee Simons delivered a standout performance with 25 points, while Shaedon Sharpe contributed 24 points, as the Portland Trail Blazers rebounded from a hefty defeat to secure a 104-98 victory against the Houston Rockets on Saturday evening.
This win comes in the wake of Portland’s disappointing 116-88 loss to the same Rockets during an NBA Cup game just a day prior. The Trail Blazers were able to stabilize their performance and demonstrate resilience after this setback.
In a tense finish, Portland held a three-point lead until Alperen Sengun narrowed the margin to 99-98 with a crucial basket inside the paint, just 21 seconds remaining on the clock.
To seal their victory, the Trail Blazers capitalized on two free throws each from Deni Avdija and Sharpe, bringing the score to 103-98 with only 4.3 seconds left. Simons later added an extra free throw following a technical foul called on Fred Van Vleet, further solidifying their win.
Tensions flared during the game when Dillon Brooks and Sharpe became entangled while vying for a rebound, requiring officials to intervene as Brooks expressed frustration with Simons after he pushed him away in the skirmish. This incident led to Sharpe receiving a loose ball foul, and both Simons and Brooks were cited for technical fouls.
The Rockets saw Sengun produce an impressive 22 points, with Amen Thompson stepping up off the bench to contribute 19 points as well.
Insights from the game revealed that the Trail Blazers showcased their determination by swiftly moving past Friday’s defeat to end their two-game losing streak.
On the other hand, the Rockets must work on maintaining a consistent performance following a lackluster offensive display on Saturday, especially after a previous game where they excelled, hitting 15 three-pointers.
A critical moment came late when Simons quickly scored five points, boosting the Trail Blazers to a 99-96 lead with less than 30 seconds remaining. He first completed a layup and followed it up with a three-pointer after Avdija’s block, ensuring Portland’s upper hand for the remainder of the game.
In terms of shooting efficiency, the Trail Blazers excelled by making 18 of 44 three-point attempts, while the Rockets struggled, converting only 8 of 32, with Jalen Green experiencing a particularly tough night, hitting just one of his nine attempts.
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers are set to face Memphis on Monday night, while the Rockets will travel to Minnesota for a matchup on Tuesday night.