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Simons nets 27 points to lead Trail Blazers past Hornets 102-97, securing fourth consecutive win

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Simons nets 27 points to lead Trail Blazers past Hornets 102-97, securing fourth consecutive win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Anfernee Simons showcased an impressive performance, scoring 17 of his 27 points during the second half, while Jerami Grant contributed 22 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a 102-97 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. This win marks the Blazers’ fourth consecutive triumph.

Deni Avdija also played a crucial role for the Blazers, netting 18 points, and Donovan Clingan excelled on the boards with 13 rebounds, helping Portland outscore Charlotte 29-22 in the final quarter. On the Hornets’ side, Nick Smith Jr. led with 17 points, while Josh Okogie recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, the Hornets struggled with offensive output, missing key players LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Hornets held a narrow 75-73 lead. However, the Blazers quickly seized control, and after securing two offensive rebounds in one possession, Simons hit a three-pointer that put Portland ahead with 7.5 minutes remaining, igniting a 7-0 scoring run. From that moment on, the Blazers maintained their lead and never looked back. The Hornets, meanwhile, faced difficulties, shooting just 7 of 22 in the fourth quarter.

Takeaways highlight that the Trail Blazers showcased a robust defensive strategy during the second night of a back-to-back game; they previously defeated Orlando 101-79 on the road. This solid defense continued against the Hornets, holding Charlotte to a shooting percentage of only 41%. For the Hornets, with Miller sidelined for the season due to wrist surgery, the team desperately needed others to ramp up their three-point shooting, which they lacked against the Blazers especially in the decisive final quarter.

A critical moment arrived when the Hornets trimmed the lead to five points but Grant responded by sinking a baseline jumper with under a minute left, effectively sealing the game for the Blazers.

In terms of key statistics, the Blazers succeeded at the foul line with 27 successful free throws out of 39 attempts, compared to the Hornets’ 24 out of 28.

Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers will be returning home to face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday evening, while the Hornets will play against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night, part of their nine-game homestand.