The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t expecting a win when they faced the Sacramento Kings on Friday night with ten players missing due to injuries. Portland’s starting lineup required a deep foray into Basketball-Reference, with footnotes. When you’re pining for Ryan Arcidiacano. lamenting the lack of Cam Reddish, and playing the other Shaq—who just joined your roster and has no earthly idea what the plays are—your lot is not favorable.
The game went about as expected. Sacramento pried open a modest early lead, then spent the rest of the game steaming the Blazers until the shell split and the pearly win inside was free for the taking.