Anfernee Simons' long-range success leads Blazers past Kings

Anfernee Simons scored 30 points and the Portland Trail Blazers made it six straight wins with a 108-102 victory over the visiting Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.

Simons hit 8 of 12 3-point attempts and added six assists. He was aided by Shaedon Sharpe, who contributed 24 points off the bench, and Deandre Ayton, who posted 18 points and eight rebounds.

Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points each for the Kings, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Malik Monk contributed 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis amassed 10 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out.

DeRozan, who was held to seven points across the first three quarters, came alive with 15 in the fourth. He started the final period by knocking down three straight pullup jumpers, and he later gave the Kings a 91-90 lead by completing a three-point play with 6:36 to go.

Sharpe responded with a step-back jumper, which put Portland immediately back in front.

Sabonis fouled out with 3:02 remaining, but Sacramento subsequently got another mid-range basket from DeRozan to pull within 98-94.

Simons sealed the Trail Blazers' victory when he nailed his seventh and eighth treys with 2:13 and 42.9 seconds to go, the latter putting Portland up by seven. He connected on two free throws with 18.7 seconds left for game's final points.

Sixth man Sharpe was aggressive early with 10 points in the first quarter, which ended with the score tied at 27 after 10 lead changes.

Simons shrugged off his scoreless opening quarter to drill three treys in the second. The Blazers buried 5 of 9 long-range shots in the period and threatened to pull away, but 11 first-half turnovers meant their advantage was trimmed to 54-50 by halftime.

LaVine, in his second game as a King after he was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, put up nine points in the third period to help Sacramento move ahead by six points.

Portland's Scoot Henderson exited with 2:04 remaining in the third after landing awkwardly on his right ankle, though he returned to the court with 6:40 left in the fourth.

In Henderson's absence, Sharpe piloted an 8-0 finish to the third quarter, and the Blazers were up 79-77 with 12 minutes to play.

--Field Level Media