----- Seth Curry scores 20 points off the bench as the Portland Trail Blazers hammer the Chicago Bulls in their first game after losing Jusuf Nurkic to a season-ending knee injury.
The Trail Blazers didn't miss Jusuf Nurkic on Wednesday night.
Seth Curry scored a team-high 20 points off the bench on 8-for-11 shooting as the Portland Trail Blazers hammered the short-handed Chicago Bulls 118-98 Wednesday night at United Center in Chicago.
In their first game playing without Jusuf Nurkic following a season-ending knee injury Monday night against the Brooklyn Nets, Enes Kanter got the start at center. Kanter scored 13 points on 6-for-8 shooting and pulled down six rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
Kanter said he got energy during a pregame talk with Nurkic. "Before the game we talked about it, everyone needed to step up, we face-timed with him (Nurkic) before the game."
The Blazers controlled the game from start to finish. They led by 13 after one, by 18 at halftime as they cruised to an easy victory. The win was Portland's fifth-straight overall.
Al-Farouq Aminu recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, Rodney Hood scored 15, and Zach Collins scored 13 points and added three rebounds. The Blazers bench scored a season-high 70 points.
With so many guys making shots, Damian Lillard played the role of facilitator finishing with 11 points and seven assists.
"I thought the starting lineup did a nice job of finding scorers," Terry Stotts said. "Dame didn't really look to be aggressive scoring, but I thought he tried to get everyone else involved, which he did."
Portland (47-27) connected on 51.8% of their shots including 11-for-32 from downtown.
Chicago (21-55) had five players on the inactive list tonight including Kris Dunn (mid-back strain), Zach LaVine (thigh contusion), and Lauri Markkanen (fatigue).
Up Next- The Trail Blazers will travel to Atlanta to meet the Hawks on Friday. The game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 PM.
Chad's Take- The Chicago Bulls are a disaster.