----- Jusuf Nurkic recorded a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds and Anfernee Simons scored a game-high 30 points as the Portland Trail Blazers improved to 5-1 with a 125-111 victory over the Houston Rockets Friday night at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Without All-Star Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers found strength in numbers to defeat the Houston Rockets 125-111 Friday night at Moda Center improving to 5-1 on the season.
Anfernee Simons scored a game-high 30 points and added seven assists and five rebounds. He connected on 10 of his 20 shots including 7-of-15 from beyond-the-arc. Simons started at point guard in place of the injured Lillard (calf). He will be reevaluated in 1-2 weeks.
Jusuf Nurkic took advantage of the undersized Rockets lineup by recording a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds on 12-of-17 shooting.
Shaedon Sharpe made the first start of his NBA career scoring 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting in 29 minutes of action including back-to-back dunks in the first half that energized the home crowd and his teammates.
"I'm not going to put any added pressure on him like we're going to bring him along as need be," Chauncy Billups said following the game in regards to Sharpe. "But I think we're all just very happy with his early development already."
The Blazers led the game from start to finish while connecting on 53.3% of their field goals including 13-of-35 from three-point range. They recorded a season-high 30 assists and pulled down 11 offensive rebounds.
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will get four-days off before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night at Moda Center. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 PM.
Chad's Take- Shaedon Sharpe terrific in his first NBA start finishing with 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting.