76ers, minus top scorers, stumble against Blazers

Field Level Media|published: Tue 30th January, 24:45 2024

Jan 29, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Anfernee Simons (1) shoots the ball over Philadelphia 76ers small forward Paul Reed (44) during the first half at Moda Center. credits: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Jerami Grant scored 27 points and Malcolm Brogdon added 24 points and nine assists to help the host Portland Trail Blazers roll to a 130-104 victory over the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

The 76ers were without reigning MVP and NBA scoring leader Joel Embiid (knee) for the second straight game. Philadelphia fell to 3-9 without Embiid this season.

Tyrese Maxey (ankle), the Sixers' second-leading scorer, also missed his second consecutive contest.

Portland took advantage by controlling the second half to win for just the fifth time in the past 16 games and compile its largest winning margin of the season. Scoot Henderson scored 22 points off the bench, Deandre Ayton added 18 and Anfernee Simons had 15 for the Trail Blazers.

Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 25 points for Philadelphia, which sustained its second-worst losing margin of the season and dropped to 0-3 on a five-game road trip. Patrick Beverley added 14 points and Paul Reed had 11 for the 76ers.

Philadelphia shot just 5 of 29 (17.2 percent) from behind the arc and finished at 44.6 percent overall from the field.

Jabari Walker collected 12 rebounds for Portland, which outscored the 76ers 72-49 in the second half.

The Trail Blazers shot 54.8 percent from the field and made 12 of 28 (42.9 percent) from 3-point range.

Portland led by three at halftime and seized control with a 14-0 surge in the third quarter. Walker scored seven points during the run and Brogdon added five as the Trail Blazers took an 80-63 advantage with 5:42 left in the period.

The lead reached 89-70 when Grant sank two free throws to with 2:30 remaining in the third.

Portland led 94-77 entering the final stanza.

Brogdon buried a long 3-pointer and Ayton followed with a basket to make it 105-79 with 7:54 left in the game.

Portland's lead topped out at 31 points.

Grant scored 20 first-half points as the Trail Blazers led 58-55 at the break. Oubre had 14 in the half for Philadelphia.

The Trail Blazers trailed 28-20 after one quarter. Grant broke loose for 14 in the second as Portland racked up 38 points in the period.

—Field Level Media