The up-and-coming Trail Blazers best player Anfernee Simons came through in winning, pouring in 12 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter and the visiting Portland Trail Blazers overcame a slow start and early rough patches to defeat the undermanned Charlotte Hornets by five, 102-97, on Friday.
Jerami Grant contributed 22 points, Deni Avdija had 18 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 13 points off the bench and Toumani Camara posted 11 points as the Trail Blazers overcame some poor shooting and a 13-point second-quarter deficit.
The Trail Blazers finished at 40.5 percent from the field, which is nothing to write home about, including 11-for-38 (28.9 percent) from 3-point range, on their way to their fourth consecutive win.
Nick Smith Jr.’s 17 points and Josh Okogie’s double-double, 16 points and 10 boards paced the Hornets. Mark Williams continued his solid play with 15 points and nine rebounds, Josh Green had 14 points, and Vasilije Micic notched 12 points.
Two of the Hornets’ most productive players did not suit up and take the court. LaMelo Ball was out with a wrist sprain, and Miles Bridges was sidelined due to back spasms. Guard Seth Curry, who occasionally fills in as a starter, was on the shelf with an ankle injury.
The Hornets led by two, 75-73, going into the fourth quarter, however, the Blazers quickly took control. After Portland fought for two offensive rebounds on the same possession, Simons knocked down a 3 to give the Blazers the lead for good with 7 1/2 minutes to play, igniting a 7-0 run. The Blazers never looked back.
The Trail Blazers, who shot only 27 of 39 from the charity strike, finally pulled away when Simons scored the initial six points of an 8-0 surge that put Portland up by seven, 88-81.
With ice water in their veins, Simons and Grant both sank four 3-pointers, while Avdija was 11-for-14 on free throws. Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan out of the University of Connecticut, back from a five-game layoff caused by an ankle injury, had his fingerprints all over the game, collecting 13 rebounds and logged four points, four blocked shots and four assists in 18 minutes as a starter.
The Hornets, who have lost back-to-back games following a season-high three-game winning streak, shot an ice-cold 37.6 percent from the floor and 9 of 31 (29 percent) from beyond the arc.
It was only the fourth time this season that a Portland opponent failed to register at least 100 points, two of those coming over the past two nights. The Trail Blazers won by 22, 101-79 against the host Orlando Magic on Thursday.
The Hornets were held to 43 second-half points.
After Charlotte held a 37-24 lead early in the second quarter, the game gradually got closer and was tied at 50-all before the Hornets scored the last four points of the first half in the last minute.
The Blazers return home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
The Hornets host the New Orland Pelicans on Saturday night as part of a season-high nine-game homestand.
