On paper, this was no contest. The Portland Trail Blazers, after wrapping up a playoff spot in their previous game, were resting almost all of their top players. Damien Lillard and CJ McCollum were replaced with Shabazz Napier and Evan Turner—who played the best basketball of their careers tonight. Allen Crabbe’s minutes were taken by Pat Connaughton who played his best game as a professional. The truth is that the Blazers young players played with a lot of desire and skill, while the Spurs starters seemed to take for granted that they were entitled to a win.
Spurs throw away a win in Portland
