Join Danny Marang for a Jacked Ramsays After Dark that saw the Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Utah Jazz, 116-111 on the road and improve to 12-11 on the season.
It was a special night for Anfernee Simons, who finished the night with a new career high of 45 points on 15-25 FG, 7-12 3FG and 8-8 FT – who scored 36 of those points in the 1st half (also a career high for points in a half) but it all started with his 23 points in the 1st quarter (career high for points in a quarter) that got the Blazers the offense they needed to jump start them.
After the offensive explosion for Simons in the 1st (40 points for the team) the scoring slowed to a standard pace that saw contributions up and down the board. Jerami Grant took over the 2nd half as Simons was clearly tired and finished with 13 of his 33 points in the 4th quarter.
A slow and awkward first half from Jusuf Nurkic turned into one of Nurk’s most impactful 2nd halves of the season – where perhaps only his early season performance against Deandre Ayton and the Suns being more important. He was a deterrent at the rim, secured rebounds and traffic and generated multiple 2nd chance opportunities that Portland desperately needed down the stretch.
Trendon Watford and Greg Brown III both played big roles tonight with their energy and hustle – 9 points, 14 rebounds and also cleaned up on the offensive glass. While Brown III brought energy when the Blazers needed it, finishing with 6 points and 4 rebounds along with some rather inspired defense.
All in all, a great win for the Blazers when they needed it most. They got it done by getting into their offense early, trusting the hot hand when it was going and timely defensive stops. Significantly more fun and reminiscent to how the season started.
Tap in and enjoy the show!
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10 Comments
DANGIT I missed the show
A man has got to admit when he is wrong 🎉Simmons needs the keys 🔑 to the car it’s his team now!!
Any update on GP2
Nurk looked like a shell of himself for like the 10th game in a row. Were gonna trade him, right? I ain't paying 17 mil a year for no look layups and cheap fouls we gotta figure something out two weeks from now
Whats going on with Badji as well…i expect him to play 10-15min in games like this when Eubenks is out and we are only left with Nurk..nurk prob will be too tired for tomorrows game vs indiana, and if Dame returns then we definitely going to need him to win the game
thank you for the Tony Brothers hate he is the new company man… why that company wanted the Jazz to win I have no idea but holy hell he just calls tonights narrative whatever it may be last couple years he;s really stood out on the Donoughey/Foster scale
The theme song joe, Joe biden, biden,Joe, Joe biden hail biden joe🤣
Anfernee‘s crazy flashes of potential remind me a lot of the crazy flashes we’d see out of Jaylen Brown within his first three years in the NBA. Obviously their games are very different, but that same feeling of “Wow this player is gonna be good” is the same for me when watching them showcase their potential on the NBA floor. Just my opinion, but man Anfernee looks amazing. 4yr / 100 milly could be a STEAL
I do wanna hear you talk after wins or losses
While I agree that he made a great defensive play to end the game, I'd love better defense from Ant throughout the duration of the game.