PORTLAND, Ore. — Anfernee Simons sealed a thrilling matchup on Thursday night by hitting a layup just as the clock expired, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a narrow 122-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets, who were led by Nikola Jokic.
Simons showcased his skills by driving past Russell Westbrook and finishing with a high shot off the glass just in time. He concluded the game with impressive stats, accumulating 28 points and providing 10 assists.
In addition to Simons’ standout performance, Shaedon Sharpe contributed significantly with 27 points. The Blazers, who had endured a challenging six-game losing streak, also benefited from Deni Avdija’s 19 points and a solid showing from Deandre Ayton, who recorded 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds upon his return after missing two games due to illness.
On the opposing side, Jokic put up a commendable 34 points along with eight assists for Denver. Jamal Murray and Westbrook supported with 24 points and 19 points respectively, with Murray also adding 10 assists to his tally.
Key observations from the game included Denver’s defensive struggles against a Blazers team known for its offensive challenges, ranking as the third worst in the league. On the other hand, Ayton’s performance indicated his return to form after a short absence.
A pivotal moment occurred when the Nuggets, who entered the fourth quarter trailing by 17 points, mounted a comeback and briefly took a two-point lead thanks to Michael Porter Jr.’s dunk with under a minute left. However, Simons and Sharpe each hit two free throws to regain the lead for Portland before Jokic tied it again with a layup, leaving 16.8 seconds on the clock.
In terms of statistics, Portland edged out Denver in free-throw attempts, making five more shots from the line despite shooting 46.4% from the field compared to Denver’s 54%. Additionally, the Blazers exhibited strong perimeter shooting with 16 successful three-pointers against the Nuggets’ 15.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are set to face off against New Orleans on Sunday, while the Trail Blazers will continue their road trip with a matchup against San Antonio on Saturday.