After Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups questioned his team’s pride Sunday following a 45-point loss to the depleted Memphis Grizzlies, the players answered the bell Tuesday against the title-contending Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Blazers played with heart and hustle at home against an opponent that beat them by 25 points less than a week ago. Or as Portland forward Deni Avdija put it after the game, they “showed some character.” They also shot the hell out of the ball, going 18-32 on 3s.
The combination resulted in a resounding 122-108 win and a flashy 1-0 record in the Emirates NBA Cup.