By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 21:03 EDT, 16 March 2025 | Updated: 21:03 EDT, 16 March 2025
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Anfernee Simons scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, Toumani Camara finished with 21 and the Portland Trail Blazers rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat the Toronto Raptors 105-102 on Sunday to snap a five-game skid.
Portland made 18 3-pointers, with Simons hitting six - four in the fourth quarter - and Camara tied his career high with five.
Deni Avdija finished with 19 points, including two free throws that capped the scoring with 5.1 seconds left, six rebounds and six assists. Shaedon Sharpe scored 17 for the Trail Blazers.
Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji scored 19 points apiece for the Raptors. Scottie Barnes finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists - including a pass from beyond halfcourt to Agbaji for an alley-oop layup - and six steals.
Raptors: Portland´s Matisse Thybulle blocked a 3-pointer by Toronto´s Orlando Robinson that could have tied the game in the closing seconds.
Trail Blazers: Thybulle made a season debut after an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the first 66 games. Thybulle, who led the Trail Blazers in steals (1.7 per game) last season, finished with two rebounds and two steals.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, center, shoots over Toronto Raptors center Orlando Robinson, left, and center Colin Castleton, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
After Camara scored in the paint to give the Trail Blazers their first lead since 2-0, Avdija knifed into the lane, was fouled as he threw down a dunk over the 6-foot-10 Robinson. He hit the free throw to cap a 13-0 run and make it 99-95 with 2:06 left and Portland led the rest of the way.
Each team grabbed 19 rebounds but the Trail Blazers outscored Toronto 25-18 in second-chance points.
The Raptors take on the Suns in Phoenix and the Trail Blazers play host to the Washington Wizards on Monday.
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Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, center, shoots over Toronto Raptors center Colin Castleton, left, and center Jakob Poeltl during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) reacts after a call against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) brings the ball up court against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) and Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) jump up for the tip during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) looks to pass as Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan grabs a rebound ahead of Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji, left, and center Jakob Poeltl during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 16, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)