A number of Portland Path Blazerstogether with coach Chauncey Billupsstated through the week that group morale remained excessive regardless of six straight losses and 10 of 12.
However nothing boosts group morale greater than successful, and Thursday’s 126-124 win over the Denver Nuggets positively hit the spot.
“Clearly I ended the bleeding, that’s for certain,” Blazers guard Anfernee Simons stated. “In a recreation like this towards group, who simply gained a championship two years in the past, with the ability to beat them is at all times going to spice up our morale.”
Denver, who gained the 2023 NBA title, arrived in Portland on a three-game successful streak and was a heavy favourite towards the struggling Blazers (9-18), who’ve held their earlier six opponents to shoot 52.0 % from the sector and 44.7% from three-point vary.
Denver (14-11) continued that development, taking pictures 54 % from the sector and 44.1 % from lengthy vary. Nonetheless, the Blazers compensated by limiting turnovers to 10 and producing 21 second probability factors in comparison with 9 for the Nuggets.
Portland additionally produced 29 assists, tied for fifth most this season.
“We by no means misplaced confidence once we went via,” Billups stated.
Nonetheless, whereas they moved the ball nicely to provide good photographs, they usually hit extra rim than web, particularly within the fourth quarter, the place the Blazers shot solely 30%. Denver took benefit, erasing a 17-point deficit to steer 122-120 with lower than a minute remaining.
However the Blazers caught with what had labored earlier than and their dedication paid off. when Simons scored the successful objective as time expired.
“I used to be happy with us for persevering tonight and persevering with to make the precise play,” Billups stated.
Portland has averaged 26.4 assists over its final 9 video games (seventeenth within the NBA throughout that stretch), a major bounce from its season common of twenty-two.7 (twenty eighth).
“I believe we’re attending to the purpose the place everybody is aware of one another’s strengths and weaknesses,” Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe stated.
Portland Path Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, high, shoots a game-winning basket towards Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook, middle, and middle Nikola Jokic (15) through the second half of a basketball recreation NBA ball in Portland, Oregon, Thursday, December 1. 19, 2024. (AP Picture/Craig Mitchelldyer)APP.A.
Generally it may be tough for a coach to persuade his group to belief strategic ideas whereas dropping. Defeating Denver rewarded the Blazers for his or her dedication to the method.
“It’s validation for our guys to proceed to play the precise manner, to belief one another, to belief the move and regardless of the outcomes are, they’re, however they must play the precise manner” , Billups stated.
The truth that all the pieces got here collectively in an in depth victory towards a group of Denver’s caliber left the Blazers locker room awash in elation.
“Getting a double towards them can actually increase our confidence,” Sharpe stated.
To be able to develop into a group like Denver, the Blazers should defeat groups like that. Thus far this season, they’ve had high quality wins towards Minnesota 14-12 (twice), LA Clippers (16-12), Atlanta Hawks (14-14), Houston Rockets ( 18-9) and the Sacramento Kings (13-15), a playoff group final season, and now the Nuggets.
“That’s the form of group we wish to construct,” Simons stated. “That form of group that’s preventing for playoff spots.”
–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Fb)
