The Indiana Pacers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 108-99, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday.

The Pacers (22-18) continue to play better than anyone would’ve expected it and didn’t have major problems getting past the Trail Blazers (19-19), though it was a tight game and the Pacers had to wait until the final 12 minutes to gain separation and win the contest. Portland jumped ahead in the first quarter and led by a 29-26 score, and they’d maintain the lead despite the fact that the Pacers reduced the deficit by just one point following a 28-26 score in the second quarter. The third quarter ended with a 27-27 score, so Portland still held a one-point lead with 12 minutes left, but the Pacers would pull away for good in the final 12 minutes after outscoring their rivals by a 27-17 score. With the win, Indiana improved to 14-7 at home while the Blazers fell to 10-13 on the road.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers off the bench with 19 points and two steals, while Tyrese Haliburton ended with 15 points and 12 assists. Myles Turner recorded 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Aaron Nesmith finished with 10 points, seven boards and two steals. Buddy Hield finished with 11 points and six rebounds. Indiana shot 45.2 percent from the field and 28 percent from three.

Anfernee Simons led the Blazers with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Damian Lillard ended with 19 points, eight assists and two rebounds. Jusuf Nurkic had a double-double of 14 points and 19 rebounds, and Josh Hart sniffed a triple-double with 12 points, 10 boards and eight assists. Jerami Grant added 15 points. Portland shot 40.4 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from deep.