Trail Blazers Snap Five-Game Skid, Beat Pacers 133-112

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) looks to pass the ball past Indiana Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, April 27, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

The Portland Trail Blazers started off their road trip on the right foot, easily handling the shorthanded Indiana Pacers 133-112.

The pressure has been building on the team to snap out of their month-long funk, and they looked eager to do so after another first quarter that ended with them trailing, this time 35-34. But Portland outscored Indiana 79-43 in the middle periods to break the game wide open. In garbage time, the Pacers closed the gap, but the Trail Blazers led by as many as 40 points and the outcome was never in doubt.

The Trail Blazers were led by Anfernee Simons, who came off the bench to hit nine consecutive 3-pointers en route to a game-high 27 points. Damian Lillard, who has been struggling of late, shot 6-14 for 23 points and was a team-high +32 for the game.

Up next, the Trail Blazers continue the long road trip, taking on the Memphis Grizzlies for the third time in four games. The Grizzlies beat Portland twice in a row at Moda Center last week.