----- Anfernee Simons and CJ McCollum combined for 53 points and Jusuf Nurkic recorded a double-double with 25 points and 13 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Houston Rockets 125-110 Friday night at Toyota Center in Houston.
The sign of growth in a young player is often how they respond to adversity. Anfernee Simons has answered the call from Blazers Coach Chauncy Billups.
After giving up the go-ahead bucket against Minnesota and missing a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have won the game, Simmons has responded.
He finished with 23 points and seven assists Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks and led the Blazers to a 125-110 victory over the Rockets Friday night in Houston scoring a game-high 27 points and dishing out six assists.
Simons connected on 11 of his 17 shots from the field including 5-of-9 from three-point range in 35 minutes of action.
Portland (21-28) connected on 56.8% of their field goals including 17-of-39 from beyond-the-arc.
Six-players scored in double-figures for the Blazers. Jusuf Nurkic finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds on 8-of-11 shooting, CJ McCollum added 26 points and five assists, and Norman Powell scored 16 points and grabbed three steals.
Trendon Watford continues to give Coach Billups solid minutes off the bench. He recorded six points, three assists, and two steals in 15 minutes showing his strength and hustle on both ends.
Christian Wood led Houston (14-35) with 21 points and 15 rebounds.
Portland put together a 10-2 run, highlighted by a three-point play from Nurkic, to make it 125-110 with about a minute left.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will meet the Bulls Sunday in Chicago. The game is scheduled to tip off at 12:30 PM.
Chad's Take- Strong night Ant, CJ, and Nurk!