The Trail Blazers (17-28) won their third consecutive road game for the first time this season after claiming their second consecutive road game for the first time by winning at Orlando on Thursday night. The Blazers last won four straight games to start the 2022-23 season.

Anfernee Simons scored 17 of his 27 points in the second half, Jerami Grant added 22 points and the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Charlotte Hornets 102-97 on Friday night for their fourth straight win.

While some may be ancy to back LaMelo Ball's scoring output against Portland, Douglas Farmer breaks down why that isn’t the best approach ahead of tonight's clash in Charlotte.