Scoring by Kersey, Duckworth Propels Blazers’ 121-95 Victory

ORLANDO, Fla. —  Sparked by their defense, the Portland Trail Blazers pulled away in the second half Monday night to defeat the Orlando Magic, 121-95, in the National Basketball Assn.

The Trail Blazers outscored Orlando, 66-44, in the second half to push their record to 13-4--second best in the NBA behind the Lakers’ 12-3. Jerome Kersey scored 22 points and Kevin Duckworth had 19 for Portland.

Orlando was led by Reggie Theus’s 17 points. Terry Catledge added 16 and Jerry Reynolds 13.

Portland led 55-51 at halftime. But Kersey had 11 points as the Trail Blazers outscored Orlando, 29-14, in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to take an 84-65 lead.

Portland’s swarming defense made the difference, cutting off the Magic’s inside game in the second half. The Trail Blazers also got their running game going, scoring 26 points on fast-break opportunities after intermission.

Besides Kersey and Duckworth, Portland got double-figure scoring from Clyde Drexler with 18 points, Buck Williams and Terry Porter each with 16 and rookie Cliff Robinson with 15.