The Philadelphia 76ers came away with a 109-103 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, March 15, at Xfinity Mobile Arena, using a decisive third-quarter push to take control after a tightly contested first half. Quentin Grimes led Philadelphia with 31 points, while Andre Drummond anchored the interior with 17 rebounds as the 76ers improved to 37-31. Portland, which fell to 32-36, stayed within reach into the final minutes but could not fully erase the gap created after halftime.
Quarter-by-quarter breakdown
First quarter: Philadelphia opened with a slight edge, outscoring Portland 30-27 in an efficient first 12 minutes. The 76ers established early balance on the glass and got enough half-court production to move in front, though the Trail Blazers kept pace behind steady perimeter volume.
Second quarter: Portland answered in the second, taking the quarter 27-23 to carry a 54-53 lead into halftime. The Trail Blazers moved the ball well and continued to create three-point opportunities, helping them overcome Philadelphia’s work inside.
Third quarter: The game turned here. Philadelphia outscored Portland 29-22 in the period, flipping the one-point halftime deficit into an 82-76 advantage entering the fourth. Grimes provided the scoring lift, and the 76ers tightened up defensively enough to limit Portland’s rhythm after the break.
Fourth quarter: Both teams scored 27 points in the final period, which allowed Philadelphia to protect its six-point cushion the rest of the way. Portland made late pushes, but the 76ers were steady enough in the closing possessions and converted 14 of 15 free throws overall to help finish the job.
Key performers
Philadelphia 76ers:
Quentin Grimes led all scorers with 31 points and added three steals, delivering the top offensive performance of the night for Philadelphia. Andre Drummond made a major impact on the glass with 17 rebounds and also led the team with four assists, reflecting how much of the offense and possession battle ran through him.
Portland Trail Blazers:
Deni Avdija paced Portland with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds in an all-around outing that kept the visitors competitive throughout the night. Donovan Clingan added 15 rebounds, helping Portland stay close on the boards despite Philadelphia’s slight 51-49 advantage.
Game analysis
The biggest statistical contrast came from shot profile and efficiency. Portland made 17 three-pointers and assisted on 26 baskets, but the Trail Blazers shot just 39.1 percent from the field overall and went 14-for-21 at the free-throw line. Philadelphia, meanwhile, hit 45.4 percent from the floor and was far more efficient at the stripe, finishing 14-for-15.
The 76ers also found enough success inside and on second-chance opportunities to offset a quiet night from long range. Philadelphia made only 7 of 25 from three-point range, but its rebounding edge, strong free-throw accuracy and third-quarter control made the difference. Portland generated volume from deep with 53 attempts, yet the overall efficiency dip in the second half limited the comeback effort.
In a game that stayed competitive from start to finish, Philadelphia’s ability to win the possession battle and produce the best individual scoring performance proved enough. The 76ers did not need a late surge because the separation created in the third quarter held up through an even fourth.
Closing context
The result moves Philadelphia to 37-31, an important late-season step as the 76ers continue to navigate the Eastern Conference playoff race. For Portland, now 32-36, the loss is a missed road opportunity despite another productive night from Avdija and solid team ball movement. With both teams deep into the stretch run, Sunday’s result underscored how valuable one strong quarter can be in shaping the standings picture.
