Anfernee Simons shined with 29 points, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a commanding 130-113 win over the Sacramento Kings during Tuesday’s NBA action.
The Blazers’ victory was bolstered by Duop Reath’s career-high 25 points and nine rebounds from the bench, compensating for the absence of starting center Deandre Ayton, out with right knee tendinitis, and shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe, sidelined due to a right adductor strain. Malcolm Brogdon contributed 19 points, with Scoot Henderson and Jabari Walker each adding 17 off the bench.
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups expressed satisfaction with the team’s improved start and home performance.
“We talked about how we needed to get off to better starts and play better at home,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said. “And we did that today. We did a really good job of that.”
Henderson, in one of his most impactful NBA games yet, provided a career-high 11 assists with just one turnover, emphasizing his unselfish play and focus on securing the win.
“I’m an unselfish player and somebody that just makes plays,” Henderson said. “I just had to go out there and be confident and get the (win) by any means.”
Despite De’Aaron Fox’s 43 points and Domantas Sabonis’s 34 points for Sacramento, the Kings struggled as no other player scored in double figures. Kings coach Mike Brown pointed out defensive issues, particularly allowing Portland’s bench to dominate, as a key factor in their defeat.
“We didn’t do a good job defensively,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “That’s been our Achilles heel for a while. We give up 130 points and allow their bench to get going the way they did, it made for a long night.”
Looking ahead, the Trail Blazers are set for back-to-back home games against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, the Kings will face a challenge on the road against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.
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