The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets 126-124 at the Moda Center on Thursday night thanks to a driving, one-handed bank shot from guard Anfernee Simons as time ran out.
Simons remarked, “I got a shot up that I feel pretty comfortable shooting.”
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.
According to Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, they clearly made things difficult. That team has a history of winning championships. They were therefore not going to disappear.
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.
The Blazers defeat the Denver Nuggets 126-124 after Anfernee Simons scores on a drive to the hoop at the buzzer.zDWwkAxql9 #Ripcitypic.twitter.com
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.” We’ll go to overtime to win it, so don’t give them a chance to make another play.
The Blazers went on a run late in the second quarter to lead 66-56 with 1:51 remaining in the first half. With a 10-0 run to end the second quarter, Denver led 66-66 at the break.
The Blazers led by 12 late in the third quarter before rookie center Donovan Clingan made a corner three, and Simons made a step-back three at the third-quarter buzzer to give the Blazers a 104-87 lead.
The Blazers won the third quarter 38-21 to take control of the game. Portland shot 6 of 12 from three-point range in the quarter.
With 28 points, Simons led the Blazers. Sharpe received a score of 27.
Jokic led the Nuggets with 34 points and eight assists.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, center, and center Nikola Jokic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer) APAP
WHAT IT MEANS
The Blazers (9-18) snapped a six-game losing streak by ending the Nuggets (14-11) three-game winning streak.
SIMONS’ FALL
Simons took a nasty fall in the third quarter. He slipped while driving to the basket in transition. His left foot appeared to slide along the court and Simons fell backwards. He avoided hitting his head on the court and walked off under his own power. He returned to the game when play resumed following a timeout.
BANTON OUT
Blazers guard Dalano Banton sat out the game with a left hip contusion that occurred when he fell to the floor during Sunday s loss at the Phoenix Suns.
NEXT UP
The Blazers play a 5:30 p.m. game Saturday at the San Antonio Spurs (14-13).
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— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
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