The have been jeered this season for assembling a team low on experience and depth. As if proving the point, their starters struggled on Tuesday night versus the Sacramento Kings. But the bench might as well have been staffed by a crew of Mt. Rushmore Hall-of-Famers. Active defense, willing passing, big rebounding, and a few well-timed three-point strikes propelled Portland’s second unit to a dominating performance against the Kings, eventually leading to a 130-113 win.
Anfernee Simons led Portland with 29 points, but he was flanked by center Duop Reath with 25, forward Jabari Walker with 17 points in 22 minutes, and rookie guard Scoot Henderson with 17 points, 11 assists, and a single turnover, all off the bench.