Anfernee Simons, Blazers pull away for win over Hornets

Anfernee Simons poured in 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter and the visiting Portland Trail Blazers overcame early rough stretches to beat the short-handed Charlotte Hornets 102-97 on Friday.

Jerami Grant cranked out 22 points, Deni Avdija had 18 points, reserve Shaedon Sharpe added 13 points and Toumani Camara posted 11 points as the Trail Blazers shook off some ragged shooting and a 13-point second-quarter deficit.

Portland finished at 40.5 percent from the field, including 11-for-38 (28.9 percent) on 3-point attempts en route to its fourth consecutive win.

Nick Smith Jr.'s 17 points and Josh Okogie's 16 points and 10 rebounds led the Hornets. Mark Williams provided 15 points and nine rebounds, Josh Green had 14 points, and Vasilije Micic notched 12 points.

Two of Charlotte's most productive recent players didn't suit up. LaMelo Ball was out with a wrist sprain, and Miles Bridges was sidelined due to back spasms. Guard Seth Curry, who occasionally fills in as a starter, sat out with an ankle injury.

The Trail Blazers, who shot only 27 of 39 from the free-throw line, finally broke away when Simons scored the first six points of a 8-0 spurt that put Portland up 88-81.

Simons and Grant both sank four 3-pointers, while Avdija was 11-for-14 on foul shots. Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan, back from a five-game absence caused by an ankle injury, hauled in 13 rebounds and logged four points, four blocked shots and four assists in 18 minutes as a starter.

The Hornets, who have lost two games in a row following a season-high three-game winning streak, shot 37.6 percent from the floor and 9 of 31 (29 percent) from 3-point range.

It was only the fourth time this season that a Portland opponent failed to score at least 100 points -- two of those coming the past two nights. The Trail Blazers won 101-79 against the host Orlando Magic on Thursday.

The Hornets were held to 43 second-half points.

After Charlotte held a 37-24 lead early in the second quarter, the game gradually got closer and was tied at 50-all before the Hornets scored the last four points of the half in the last minute.

--Field Level Media