Billups Praises Blazers' Ball Movement in Stunning Win Over Nuggets

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Dec 20, 2024 9:19 PM ET

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups saw something special in his young team's 126-124 victory over Denver Thursday night, highlighted by Anfernee Simons' game-winning layup over Russell Westbrook at the buzzer.

"It probably was [our best playmaking game]," Billups said after Portland snapped a six-game losing streak. "But we've been sharing the ball. I mean sh--, we lose the last game at Phoenix - we had 30 assists. I thought we shared the ball very nicely."

The Blazers' offensive execution showed maturity beyond their years, particularly when Denver's championship pedigree surfaced in a fourth-quarter rally that erased a 17-point deficit. Even as shots stopped falling, Portland's commitment to making the right play never wavered.

"We never lost trust when we were passing," Billups explained. "A lot of times with young teams - it's happened with us a ton - you get bored with that and you're not actually making the shot. So I was proud of us sticking with it tonight and just keep making the right plays."

Simons finished with 28 points and 10 assists, while Shaedon Sharpe added 27 points in a performance that impressed Billups beyond just scoring. "We can talk about his shot making and everything - but I thought his defense was excellent all night," the coach noted.

Despite shooting a lower percentage than Denver (46.4% to 54%), Portland's ball movement created opportunities at the free throw line and from three-point range. The Blazers' resilience stood out to Billups, who noted, "That team's championship pedigree, so they wasn't going to go away," he said. "They got back in the game but we just hanging... and I was proud of us for that."

While one dramatic win doesn't erase a challenging season, Billups' enthusiasm for his young team's growth against a championship caliber team suggests progress in Portland's development. As the Blazers head to San Antonio, they'll look to build on the type of selfless play their coach has been preaching all season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: