Simons, Lillard lead Trail Blazers past Rockets 107-95
Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr., right, drives into Portland Trail Blazers guard Josh Hart, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Wyke]
HOUSTON (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 32 points and Damian Lillard added 25 as the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Houston Rockets 107-95. Portland led by as many as 22 points before Houston closed the gap to 11 points in the fourth quarter with 2:09 remaining and prompting the Trail Blazers to put their starters back in the game. Jusuf Nurkic scored 14 points and Josh Hart added 12 points and 13 rebounds for Portland. Lillard added 10 assists and two steals. Portland won for the fourth time in five games. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 15 points, and Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., and Tari Eason each added 13 points.
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Houston Rockets guard TyTy Washington Jr., left, and Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, right, chase a loose ball down court during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Wyke
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, center, is helped by fans after falling into photographers after a play against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Wyke
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, center, passes the ball around Portland Trail Blazers forward Justise Winslow (26) and center Jusuf Nurkic, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Michael Wyke