For the second time in a row, the end of the Nuggets' game came down to the last possession. After a happy finale in Sacramento, the 2023 NBA champions fell in the final moments in Portland. Name of their executioner: Anfernee Simons.
“ I got the right side where I wanted to be. I'm glad it came in, that's for sure “, can smile the Portland rear at the end of the meeting. This was served 16 seconds from the end, while the two teams were tied (124-124), at the end of a time-out requested by Chauncey Billups.
“ We talked about it when we gathered: I wanted to make sure we got the last shot. I thought they were going to target him. I told him I didn't know who was going to take that last shot, but 'Make sure we get the last shot.' 'And if they aim at him (with a two-way socket), be available. I am comfortable with each of you.' But they never did. We miss, we don't give them time for one more possession, and we try to win in overtime “, reports the coach.
His player actually didn't have too much difficulty getting rid of Russell Westbrook. One dribble at the 3-point line and two steps later, he easily reached the circle without help appearing: Nikola Jokic moved closer to the circle but did not jump, while Aaron Gordon didn't want to let go of Jerami Grant.
A take for two that never came
“ We liked this duel, we didn't try to take two to open the 3-point line. Bravo to him, he put on a complicated 'runner' with the board “, salutes Mike Malone. A gesture full of composure for the young 25-year-old rearguard, author of 28 points (11/20 on shots including 4/11 from distance) and 10 assists.
“ I sent a shot that I felt comfortable with and it went in. We're used to being taken in pairs (in this kind of situation), we kinda expect it. But when you have a one-on-one opportunity, you have to seize it. At the end of the match, you must not be afraid of failing. We play for moments like these », he appreciates.
For his part, Mike Malone, not delighted by this defeat against one of the dunces of the West, reminded his troop of a message: “ We were lucky to win this match in Sacramento, we were not lucky tonight. In this league, you can't play two quarters, that's what we've been doing lately. It's not good enough. Our second and third quarters tonight were bad across the board, on offense, on defense. It never comes down to possession. »
| Anfernee Simons | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | POR | 20 | 7 | 44.4 | 34.5 | 56.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 3.8 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 70 | 21 | 39.9 | 33.2 | 82.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 8.3 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 64 | 17 | 41.9 | 42.6 | 80.7 | 0.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 7.8 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 57 | 30 | 44.3 | 40.5 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 17.3 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 62 | 35 | 44.7 | 37.7 | 89.4 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 21.1 |
| 2023-24 | POR | 46 | 34 | 43.0 | 38.5 | 91.6 | 0.5 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 22.6 |
| 2024-25 | POR | 23 | 31 | 41.0 | 32.9 | 91.5 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 17.2 |
| Total | 342 | 26 | 43.0 | 38.2 | 87.7 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 14.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
