A Big Step for Anfernee Simons Headlines Trail Blazers' Slump-Busting Win
The Blazers ended a seven-game losing streak with a comeback against the Suns.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Eight games into his career as the Trail Blazers’ full-time closer, Anfernee Simons brought one of the high points of last season full-circle.
With 10 seconds left, Simons hit a one-handed running floater just outside the paint over Grayson Allen to put Portland up 109-104 and hold off a Suns comeback effort, snapping the Blazers’ seven-game losing streak and sealing their first win in the month of December and just their third home win of the season.
Simons hit a game-deciding shot at home against Phoenix early last season, too, a hook shot from almost the same spot on the floor over the top of Mikal Bridges to put away the Blazers’ home opener.
Back then, Simons wasn’t the obvious choice to take that shot, but Damian Lillard made a conscious choice to give him that look rather than add to the long list of “Dame Time” moments.
"I think it's going to be big for him to see that I'm willing to trust him in those moments," Lillard said after that game a little over a year ago.
Lillard is gone now, as is most of the rest of last year’s team—although Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little and Drew Eubanks were given a tribute video and got nice ovations when they were introduced with the Suns—and it’s going to be Simons in these moments taking these shots.
Like that game last October, Simons didn’t shoot well most of the night on Tuesday. His 23 points came on 23 shots, with seven of his nine makes coming in the second half, two days after he scored all 24 of his points against Golden State in the second half on Tuesday.
Simons has only played eight games this season, and seven since coming back from the torn thumb ligament he suffered on opening night against the Clippers. But in that short time, his place in the hierarchy has become clear. He’s not as good as Lillard, an all-time great scorer and clutch shot-maker, but when teams are playing these Blazers, he’s the one they’re game-planning for in that way. If anyone is drawing a double-team, it’s him. If anyone is expected to be the one taking a shot to put away a game like this, it’s him. Tuesday wasn’t his first time in that situation, but this season is the first time that will be his nightly reality and responsibility.
“It takes some trial and error to get comfortable in those situations and understand it,” Simons admitted. “I’ve been watching other teams’ best guys, and they get a lot of different coverages. And they don’t overthink the coverage, they just play their game. If they send two at me, I’m driving, or I’m hitting the pocket. I’m not overthinking it.”
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While Simons was out injured, Deandre Ayton (who infamously fell victim to Lillard’s Jedi mind trick at the free-throw line in that game last October) lamented not being able to build chemistry with him. Ayton also compared Simons to his former Suns teammate Devin Booker, an eyebrow-raising comment at the time. When Simons returned, Ayton was out with knee soreness. Now, they’re finally getting to play together, and Tuesday’s win over the Suns was the strongest proof-of-concept moment yet for what they could be.
Ayton was adamant after the game that he wasn’t motivated by playing against his former team. Simons, Chauncey Billups and Jerami Grant all disagreed. I’m not sure I buy it, either. Billups said he made a point of drawing up some plays for Ayton early—something he’s been saying for a few weeks he needs to be better about—and it paid off late.
The Blazers fell behind by as much as 16 due in large part to one of the sloppiest first quarters they’ve played all year, which featured 10 turnovers for 11 Phoenix points. The flat starts, which Simons lamented after the Warriors loss, continue to be a problem. But on Tuesday, they were solid defensively and took much better care of the ball after that disastrous quarter, only giving up four turnovers in the entire second half. Kevin Durant got 40 points on 28 shots despite being well-defended, because Kevin Durant does that. But they didn’t let anyone else beat them.
Things always look better after a win, especially when it’s been almost three weeks since their last one. But outside of that dreadful first quarter, what the Blazers did was a blueprint for what they’re trying to build.
And now, they have their closer.
“It’s a new mindset for me, knowing I have enough time to get myself into a game,” Simons said. “I’m taking initiative early to get everyone involved. Shooting the ball hasn’t really been working out for me, but I’ve been happy with the progress because in the past, I’d fade the whole game and I wouldn’t be effective at all. Now, I’m trying to keep myself calm through those times. You can get frustrated when you’re not making shots, but you try to stick with it and trust that the shot’s gonna fall. Today, the shots fell at the right time.”