Quentin Grimes scored a season-high 31 points as the Philadelphia 76ers notched a 109-103 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
After tying his season high with 28 points in Saturday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, Grimes stepped up again Sunday with his team once again playing without Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Paul George.
Justin Edwards added 21 points for Philadelphia, which has won three of its last four games. VJ Edgecombe chipped in with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Andre Drummond grabbed 17 rebounds.
Deni Avdija scored 25 points to pace Portland, which was playing the opener of a five-game road trip. He dished out nine assists but also had seven of his team’s 19 turnovers. Jerami Grant pitched in with 20 points for the Trail Blazers, while Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 15 boards.
Vit Krejci and Avdija made consecutive 3-pointers early in the fourth to create an 82-82 deadlock. However, the Sixers countered with a 13-2 push, capped by Grimes’ floater that put the hosts ahead 95-84 with 6:59 remaining.
Shortly thereafter, Grimes’ layup made it a 14-point game before the Trail Blazers reeled off 10 consecutive points to get within 101-97 with 2:54 left.
Down the stretch, Edgecombe made a pair of pull-up jumpers, bookending a dunk by Edwards. Portland hung tough, but Grimes made two free throws with 21.1 seconds left to essentially seal the outcome.
Portland led 9-0 just over a minute into the game, but Philadelphia quickly caught up at 14-14. The Sixers went on to lead 30-27 after one quarter.
The second quarter featured some ugly shooting, as the teams combined to make just 35.2% from the field, including 6 of 23 from outside the arc. The Trail Blazers outscored the Sixers 27-23 in the period to take a one-point lead into the locker room.
Grant knocked down three 3-pointers during an 11-point third quarter, but his teammates collectively combined for only 11 points in the session.
Grant’s bucket drew Portland into a 61-61 tie before Philadelphia countered with 17 of the next 24 points to take a 10-point lead with 3:37 left in the quarter. The Trail Blazers made a push late in the period to get within 82-76 heading into the fourth.
