----- Gary Trent Jr. scores a team-high 24 points and rookie CJ Elleby adds 15 points and seven rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers rout the Philadelphia 76ers without Damian Lillard 121-105 Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Let tonight be a lesson for the Trail Blazers, you can load-manage Damian Lillard and still win basketball games.
Playing without Damian Lillard (abdomen), CJ McCollum (foot), Jusuf Nurkic (wrist), Nassir Little (left knee), Derrick Jones Jr. (foot), the Portland Trail Blazers hammered the Philadelphia 76ers 121-105 Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
With all the injuries, Robert Covington was the only starter available for Blazers Coach Terry Stotts. He was joined by Rodney Hood, Gary Trent Jr., Enes Kanter, and Rodney Hood in the starting lineup. Portland played eight players on the night and each of them made a contribution in one of the most improbable wins in recent memory.
“When you get a win like this, when you have five of your players out, and everybody rallies together, it’s a little bit like winning in Washington (Tuesday night), when we relied on just a few players,” Coach Terry Stotts said.
Gary Trent Jr. led Portland (12-9) with 24 points, Carmelo Anthony finished with 22 points and five assists, and Enes Kanter was dominant with 17 points and 18 rebounds.
The biggest surprise of the night was was rookie CJ Elleby. He scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds in his first meaningful action of the season. He impacted the game with his energy, hustle, and effort on defense.
“You’re happy for a lot of people,” Stotts said. “Robert Covington got his first win in Philly since he’s been back here. CJ Elleby had a great game for a rookie -- you know he hasn’t had much chance to play. Rodney did a really good job at the point, a position he doesn’t play very much.
With the win, Portland improved to 3-2 on their current six-game road trip with their final game of the trip coming Saturday in New York against the Knicks.
Up Next- The Blazers finish their six-game road trip Sunday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. The game is scheduled to tip off at 10:00 AM.
Chad's Take- Might be the best win in the Terry Stotts era.