----- Anfernee Simons scored a career-high 43 points as the Portland Trail Blazers snap their four-game losing streak with a 136-131 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday night at Moda Center.
Strength in numbers!
For the first time this season, The Trail Blazers had four-players score 20 or more points helping Portland snap their four-game losing streak with a 136-131 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Monday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Anfernee Simons scored a career-high 43 points and had seven assists, Norman Powell finished with 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Nassir Little added 22 points and nine rebounds.
Simons connected on 13 of his 21 shots including a blistering 9-of-16 from three-point range. Simons got the start in place of Damian Lillard (injury management) playing 38 minutes.
After the game, Simons dedicated the game to his late grandfather, "My grandfather died last night from cancer, this was all him tonight."
Jusuf Nurkic returned after missing three-games due to health and safety protocols. He finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in 26 minutes of action.
The Blazers connected on 52.8% of their shots including 18-of-41 from beyond-the-arc. The 136 points scored was a season-high for Portland (14-22).
Trae Young led Atlanta (16-20) with a game-high 56 points and Clint Capela finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Portland trailed at the start of the final quarter, but took a 112-107 lead after Ben McLemore's layup and a Little three-pointer with 7:43 left. Simons' floater extended the lead to 118-111, but the Hawks kept it close down the stretch.
A pair of Young free throws cut the deficit to 127-125.
Nukic made a layup and added a free throw to make it 130-125 and Portland held on for the win.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will host the Miami Heat Wednesday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Don't forget, Simons is just 22-years-old.